April-2017.Pdf

MORPARIA’S PAGE

APRIL 2017 VOL.20/9

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ THEME: Morparia’s page 2 Safety Don’t ‘care’ for us! 5 Nivedita Louis How safe is India? 6 Managing Editor Vandita Morarka Mrs. Sucharita R. Hegde How safe is my city? 8 Longnam Kharpuri, Shabarni Basu, Ishma Raina and Anvi Mehta Editor The charm of Chennai 11 Anuradha Dhareshwar Liz Thottan No place for the elderly? 13 Shoma A. Chatterji Assistant Editor Safety ahoy! 15 E.Vijayalakshmi Rajan Karn Ragade Whither, girl power? 17 Santanu Mishra Design 11 Fatal journeys 19 H. V. Shiv Shankar Babji Choudhary Know India Better Marketing Pulicat: A lagoon, monuments and the Dutch connection 23 Mahesh Kanojia Nivedita Louis Face to Face 36 OIOP Clubs Co-ordinator Bobby Sarma Baruah: Shoma A. Chatterji Vaibhav Palkar Features The day never ends 39 Anvi Mehta Subscription In-Charge Not my cup of tea 41 Nagesh Bangera Usha Hariprasad Anger! 42 A. Radhakrishnan 23 Fun with our past 44 Advisory Board Divya Prasad Sucharita Hegde The shape-shifter 46 Justice S. Radhakrishnan Shoma A. Chatterji Venkat R. Chary The pioneer 47 Prof. Avinash Kolhe Shut it down! 49 Printed & Published by Bharat Dogra Mrs. Sucharita R. Hegde for Times they are a’ changing 50 Ram Puniyani One India One People Foundation, Book Review 51 Mahalaxmi Chambers, 4th floor, Dr. P.M. Kamath 22, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Column 52 Mumbai - 400 026 Tel: 022-2353 4400 Bobby Sarma Baruah Nature watch : Bittu Sahgal 36 Infocus : : C.V. Aravind Fax: 022-2351 7544 Young India 54 e-mail: [email protected] Great Indians 56 [email protected]

Printed at: Graphtone (India) Pvt. Ltd. A1 /319, Shah & Nahar Industrial Estate. S. J. Marg, Lower Parel (W) Mumbai – 400 013 visit us at: Admiral A.K. Chatterji, Surjit Singh Barnala Taarak Mehta PVSM, AVSM www.oneindiaonepeople.com www.facebook.com/oneindiaonepeoplefoundation LETTER TO THE EDITOR

“Innovative and whole outlook of the railway stations will be improved. I hope excellent content” they take my letter into consideration and provide us with The February 2017 cleaner and greener toilets. issue of OIOP was not – Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai only very innovative, but also had excellent “What are we actually developing?” content. The articles In this 21st century, we talk about development, were of high quality innovation, technology, advancement and what not. But are and made interesting we actually developing? With so many crimes relating to reading. Suresh Nair female molestation, rape cases, sexual abuse, can we really brilliantly analysed say we are progressing towards social development? Because the variety of humour of a certain class of lunatic men, women have to live with as played out in fear wherever they go. Eve-teasing is so dominant that every Indian movies. His teenage girl in every corner of the country has witnessed observation that regional films are able to have rip-roaring female abuse of some kind or the other. In a country which comedies with literate humour due to its narrow spectrum of is projected to be a global superpower and economically viewership, was bang on target. It is true that in Hindi films equipped, how can we live with such backwardness in the the writer is forced to contrive humour in the dialogues so society? Why is it that a women’s position in our society is as to encompass the nationwide hindi-speaking audience. still considered so low that any person can insult their dignity Consequently, only banana peel / slapstick comedies evoke and get away with it? laughter in the latter and hence become successful. Eve-teasing has posed a serious threat to the women of Hemant Morparia, the super-cartoonist, bemoaned the our society. There is hardly any girl or woman who has not lack of enthusiasm among the next-gen to take up cartooning. been the target of eve-teasers. Bus-stops, auto-rickshaw While his article accurately elaborated the reasons for this stands, etc., are the favourite haunts of the eve-teasers who declining trend, the artist proved that he was no less a writer. seem to have no other business than passing lewd remarks We would like to read more of your writings, sir! on women who happen to pass by. Eve-teasing is a crime Hats off to the editorial team to have thought of such and to put an end to it, women themselves must take the stimulating content even as the print media is getting stiff initiative. But women generally ignore the eve-teasers as competition from the electronic media. This is perhaps the they fear the evil consequences that might befall them in only way to bring people back to ‘old-fashioned’ reading! future. – Dr. Rajan T.D. MD, DVD, DNB, PGDMLS It is this baseless fear of the women-folk which gives the Pharma Consultant, Specialist in Skin & Sexually eve-teasers the courage to pass objectionable comments as Transmitted Diseases, Mumbai they think that women are too meek and timid to confront “Stinking urinals” them. It’s high time women shed their fear and confront the Urinals at most of the railway stations in Mumbai stink eve-teasers boldly. This is the only way to teach a lesson like anything. They are not washed for days together. At to such culprits so that they will not dare to tease another Churchgate and CST railway stations, it becomes very woman in the future, and think a thousand times before difficult to even eat or drink anything from the stalls or even passing lewd remarks again. walk towards the platform in order to catch a train, as the – Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai stink is very strong. One can even get the stink of urine outside the railway stations. The railway authorities should make arrangements to wash these urinals once in every 15 Letters should be addressed to: minutes, as a lot of commuters use them. Even the toilet The Editor One India One People Foundation which people use are in a bad shape. The same applies to Mahalaxmi Chambers, 4th Floor, the urinals and toilets at Matunga and Parel railway stations. 22, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai - 400 026 If the railways could provide us with 100 per cent cleaner Tel: 022 - 2353 4400 Fax: 022-2351 7544 and greener toilets in the trains as well as on platforms, the e-mail: [email protected]

4 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 SATIRE Don’t ‘care’ for us!

Will Superman take a break and the considerate man stand up, please? demands Nivedita Louis, who is fed up with the male euphemism of ‘care’!

HAT irritates a woman more? A bad-hair day? proposal and a rejection, all we are left with are potholes The “stay safe” message from the men of her life? the size of moon’s craters. Only time will teach our men that WI would like to affirm the former, but sadly, for ‘rejection’ is cool and it can end well with a little booze and most women, it is the latter. The only thing that comes free “Why this kolaveri di” soup song. in a woman’s life is advice from the ‘know-alls’, in case we If there is one word that can make a woman go ballistic, forego the ‘buy one, get one free’ offers. it is “care”. All in the name of care, our men keep suffocating It starts with “Don’t play with Anu’s son”, and goes on the lives of women. We are brain-washed from time with “Not this dress!”, “Don’t wear this lipstick”, “Not these immemorial that a woman is ‘weak’ and is to be cared for. stilettos”, “Reduce the compact, will you?”, She needs ‘pampering’. She needs constant “Why do you have to laugh so loud?”, “No We don’t need a ‘care’. No sirs! All she needs is a fag at the outing with your guy friends”, “Cheee… Superman to save end of a tough day, or an outing with her does your friend smoke? Don’t you ever do us every day. Let besties! that!”, “What? A drink with friends? Are you him please wear his We don’t need fire-breathing dragons at insane?” and goes on and on till eternity. We ensemble right (not the back of our necks, checking the watch preach sermons on ‘don’ts and dos’ to our the undies over the and saying, “You’re late!”, “This place isn’t girls. Have we ever bothered to tell our sons pants, gentleman!) safe”. As our equals, it is your duty too to to treat women right? and go save the keep this place safe for us. After all, you are How insensitive can our men get? While world. We need the the bosses! Ah! Talking of the bosses! “Who the mother keeps rolling rotis out of her is the boss?” – “You!”, “Who pays you?”– ‘considerate man’ kitchen like the roti-maker is on fire, the father “You!”, “Who can molest you?”– “NO ONE!” who perfectly knows lounges on the sofa and complains how Kohli A woman gets paid for her work as salary. missed the catch. Our sons grow up seeing what a woman No one, take the point, no one gentlemen, their fathers acting the couch- potatoes they possesses and pays her in kind, unless SHE asks for it! doesn’t cross the are, and think watching TV brings rotis to We don’t need a Superman to save us their plates once they’re married. boundary under the every day. Let him please wear his ensemble Safety of a woman is directly proportional pretext of ‘caring’ right (not the undies over the pants, to the length of her skirt. Shorter the skirt, for her. gentleman!) and go save the world. We lesser her safety. Don’t ever question why the need the ‘considerate man’ who perfectly nun with her five layers of dress isn’t safe. Or why the little knows what a woman possesses, and doesn’t cross the six-month-old with her rompers isn’t safe. Rapes happen boundary under the pretext of ‘caring’ for her. A woman is because the woman asks for it. Yes, dear Lord, she prays, aware of her power. A man must simply acknowledge her ‘Please, let me be the sacrificial lamb today, send me a bus very being and walk hand-in-hand. Safety starts at home. with four drunk men.’ Let’s treat our mothers and wives And oh! Learning Krav Maga to deal with jilted lovers right. Our daughters and sons will isn’t a safe option against the acid attacks. Safety isn’t about take their lessons from us. As simple teaching your daughters karate and kung-fu alone. It is about as that!  teaching your sons that ‘failures always happen in life, and Nivedita Louis is a writer, blogger and how we make the best of a failure shows our real worth to social activist by choice. Bitten by the travel bug, and smitten by nature, she people’. These days the love of jilted lovers is worse than loves travelling and cooking. She blogs at the roads laid during election dhamaka! In three days of a www.cloudninetalks.blogspot.com.

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 5 SAFETY HoHoww safsafee isis India?India? The perception of a country’s safety plays a big role in its desirability as a destination. Unfortunately, for a country which is as breathtakingly beautiful as India, she doesn’t attract as many visitors. Vandita Morarka introspects why India is seen as being unsafe, and what we have to do to make it more safe for its citizens, as well as visitors.

OW do we answer “How safe are we?” More important, can we? Are we equipped with the Hnecessary laws and data to be able to claim safety in our country? Safety in terms of a nation has some necessarily tangible aspects to it, from road safety, safety from crimes like robbing/mugging, safety from conflict like situations within the nation, to safety in terms of sexual violence etc. Let’s look at some statistics. India is ranked 141 on the Global Peace Index, 400 reported road deaths occur daily in India, and at least 34,651 cases of rape have been reported in 2015, according to data available with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). It is startlingly becoming obvious that India is not safe, and that measures to improve safety are not working as fast as they should. Irrespective of whatever the increased reporting is credited to, be it to more awareness Citizens at a candle light vigil in Delhi, for ‘Nirbhaya’, the or government effort – the fact remains that a large volume young girl who was brutally assaulted in Delhi of reports are still coming in, showcasing the lack in various Reported cases of sexual assault against women and young aspects of safety in India. girls are increasing; recent sexual attacks against female visitors in tourist areas and cities show that foreign women Do we feel safe in our country? are also at risk ...” How safe is India then as a country? How safe do our – An excerpt from a UK travel advisory warning people citizens feel? Do our citizens feel safe at all? To be able to about possible sexual assault as a major concern for women answer these we need better data, more reporting, and more travelling to India. polls that look beyond standard safety measures, to also gauge A US State Department travel advisory to its citizens visiting perceptions of our citizens towards their own safety. How do India also highlights scamming of foreign tourists and sexual we define safety here? Are we safe when all gendered persons harassment, as being commonplace in India and for tourists can walk freely at any time of the day or night, without fear of to beware of such instances and their possibilities when sexual assault? Are we safe when driving is not made dangerous visiting India – this advisory also led to a decrease in traffic of due to high incidents of accidents? Are we safe when our foreign travellers to India. nation is free of internal conflict? Are we safe when we can A quick online search on tourism and India will throw up travel in local trains without fear of theft? These questions are at least a few articles on the first results page on unsafe to serve as a thinking point, and to help us look at safety experiences of foreign travellers in India. Delve deeper and beyond traditional realms, and beyond these questions as well. you will see the virtual space populated by people speaking of Is safety the job of the government, or is it something that we their travel experiences in India, of having been scammed or as citizens need to demand? We do know for sure that India is faced sexual harassment. Travellers from outside India and not as safe as it could be, and that this impacts the quality of even those from within India travelling to other places in our life of its citizens, as well as its economy and tourism industry. vast country, speak fondly of India, they reminisce of the beauty To build a better, stronger India, we need to make it safer! and majesty that is India, they speak of the hospitality of Indians, but they also speak of feeling unsafe at various points Effects on tourism in their journey. “Women should use caution when travelling in India. Cases of sexual assault against foreign tourists have also

6 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 been on the rise. There have been cases of a Japanese woman being kidnapped and sexually assaulted near Bodh Gaya; of a Russian woman being assaulted in New Delhi, in 2015; of an Israeli woman being sexually assaulted by a group of men while she was travelling in Manali, in 2016. All of these cases find note in dossiers advising on Indian travel, and highlight safety concerns in India, impacting global perceptions of our nation. Any search on Indian travel will also give you a list of scams to avoid when one is in India. While scamming happens in most countries, it seems to happen a lot more in India. From being charged extra for goods and services, to scarier issues of being taken to lonelier locations and divested of one’s money - scams happening here range across the spectrum. Foreign tourists often face harassment in India India is only the 38th most visited nation according the (Photo: Md. Masarrath Ali Khan) United Nations, the number of foreign tourists to India have setting up helplines and emergency phone numbers, increasing also declined over the past decade or so, and this is despite sensitivity training of its officers, or providing better, legislative India’s massive size, unparalleled beauty and the cheap travel support. In a push towards rebranding India and building Brand options it offers; safety concerns definitely emerge as one of India on a world scale, the present government has also made the reasons for this! Should we be concerned? Yes! Tourism efforts to boost tourism in India. What is still missing though is a major part of India’s soft power, and a way for it to is mass scale awareness, sensitisation and a better showcase its culture to the world and weave itself into the implemented legislative set up. There is a need to rewire the international cultural dialogue. Tourism also adds a massive thinking of Indian citizens towards issues of corruption, gender amount of money to our economy, creating jobs, supporting equality, road safety, civic sense, and so on. What is reflected livelihoods and bringing in foreign exchange. Earlier, the in statistics is nothing but the apathy of Indian citizenry towards National Council for Applied Economic Research estimates any efforts to improve safety within the country. stated that tourism accounts for about 6.77% addition to We need to demand better laws and better implementation. India’s total Gross Domestic Product. Safety of tourists without We need to hold public servants accountable for lapses. We accounting for any of these added benefits should anyway be need programmes that educate, create awareness and sensitise a priority for a nation wanting to posture itself as a world citizens on these issues. It is the general attitude that also power. Conflicts in certain regions of India has made spills over to how we treat our tourists. Our nation needs an governments of other nations advise their citizens against informed and engaged citizenry that is supported by more travelling to particular locations in India. The possibility of stringent laws, and an effective implementation system. A exploiting the tourism sector as a means to boost our economy common unified helpline number for the country would help becomes massive in the face of data showing the untapped assist people in times of need, regular police patrolling that is potential of tourism in India. The opportunity tourism gives meant to assist, than be part of moral policing, more official India to establish itself as a world power culturally, needs to help desks at major tourist points, verification of various services be captured. online by the government to help check authenticity of While safety has always been of concern, an interconnected businesses, could be some steps that could be taken to aid virtual world with people sharing more of their personal safety measures in the country. experiences online and to a wider audience, increased reporting The spirit of Atithi devo bhava (The guest is God) is and media coverage, have shown an increase in the number definitely present in the spirit of our country, which is why, of cases one hears of and in the number of incidents reported. despite these issues, tourists While measuring in terms of data, cases of scams, sexual continue to visit India. But we must assault and other unsafe aspects may have gone up – what strive to make our country safer for the country needs to focus on is getting rid of these unsafe ourselves and tourists visiting our factors in their entirety! country, to help improve the quality of life overall. Building Brand India This government, like previous governments, is also trying Vandita Morarka is a Law and Public Policy student with special interest in to address safety issues in the country, be it through way of gender and human rights issues.

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 7 SAFETY HoHoww safsafee isis mmyy city?city? Safety in India’s metros are stories best heard from the women residents. Four young women – Longnam W. Kharpuri, Shabarni Basu, Ishma Raina and Anvi Mehta – tell us what they think about safety in the cities they reside in. How safe do they feel? And what would be the basic precautions they would take to safeguard themselves?

The Delhi story If one were to go out late at night for a function, or simply write this from solely my personal experience. Delhi NCR clubbing and pubbing on the weekends, one has to ensure Iis indeed a place where one such as I, would have to be that one’s company is reliable and able to keep one safe, that extra cautious at every turn, no matter what time of the day. the transport is sorted and the destination is of a credible Delhi being a metropolitan city with such an eclectic culture, nature. Under no circumstances should a woman trust a both liberally educated and also conservatively centred, I would stranger(s): The woman should always stick to her close-knit have to say that one has to know when and where to behave group. and portray oneself accordingly, be it in conversation or dress. When it comes to what to wear, it utterly depends on the However, despite all of these careful manoeuvrings, a woman situation. In addition to this, transport, destination credibility, often is target of all sorts of misogyny, from simple stares, and the company one keeps is essential. An application called open catcalling, to the more extreme sexual harassment and First Immediate Response (FIR) is available for installation in even molestation. In all the eight years I have lived here, I smartphones that allow police to locate, through GPS, distress have been especially cautious about where, when and with calls. The women’s helpline – 1091– is also available. Lastly, whom I go out with: If the situation calls for me travelling women should always carry a pepper spray for self-defence. alone, I carefully pick the best way, to ensure maximum All in all, a woman in Delhi NCR has to be smart and extra security. responsible for her own safety.

Using Uber and Ola Cab services is one way to go when Longnam W. Kharpuri is an M.Phil student at Delhi University. one has to travel in safety in the city. Besides this, we have such services as Jugnoo auto services. I personally rely on “My fears…my concerns in the City of Joy” familiar auto drivers in case I don’t use these services, besides wish to call myself a ‘modern’ woman living on my terms the most convenient Delhi Metro and Delhi Police registered Iin a metropolitan city, enjoying my life with a job that helps autos from the metro station. Safe transport is one way to go, me challenge my own comfort zone regularly. However, even and being alert is another while travelling. If unsure about the as I claim to be a free bird, unknown fear about my safety and route, whipping out a GPS would be ideal. Area is next. sanctity refuse to leave me. I am a 28-year-old woman working If one is living in areas that are prone to unsavoury behaviours from inhabitants and passersby, then one has to be truly cautious. For instance, when I lived in the North Campus of Delhi University, the area was safe enough with the abundant presence of police and like-minded students, making it a safe area of sorts, albeit not one utterly free of unsafe occurrences. There I used to exercise and jog on the roads close to the Ridge forest and the Vice Chancellor’s gardens. Now that I live in Gurgaon, the situation has changed drastically: I cannot think of stepping out of my apartment courtyard to go for a run, or going out beyond 9 p.m. on my own – I discourage my women friends and acquaintances from doing the same. Gurgaon is a city that is still in the throes of modernisation, and is still littered intermittently with villages and large empty plots of land. Shabarni at her desk; she is cautious about post 9 p.m. travel

8 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 as an Assistant Professor in a college in Kolkata, the City of Joy. Though my working hours are absolutely ‘comfortable’ going by the so-called rules of the society, still worry grips my family if I am late even by half an hour. My parents will definitely make a call to know my whereabouts. Even as I enjoy complete liberty, my parents won’t let me set my foot out of the house alone after 9 p.m., and will insist on accompanying me. Having said that, I should also mention that I myself make every effort to return home by 9 p.m. Well, it is not that I fear to be alone in my city, but yes, I am definitely concerned about my safety during nighttime. Having spent almost four years in journalism, I have become skeptical of most of the people I spot at night. My fears are mostly about someone following me or worse, trying to engage me by passing an unwanted remark. I wonder whether it would be proper on my part to retort? Will I escape safely if I do so? And if I don’t reply, won’t that affect my self-esteem? And Ishma in Hyderabad; it’s a friendly city, but has pockets of does all this have any link with what I wear? What I wear darkness and uncertainty can surely not give license to anyone to pass a lewd comment, or make any inappropriate approach. I take public transport home, I have to constantly remind myself that freedom of for commuting regularly, but if on a certain day I find a less stepping out of my hostel alone, at 9 p.m., has a cost – a crowded bus or a shuttle, the first thought that crosses my cost that could range from judgemental stares on the streets, mind is whether it will be safe for me to board the vehicle? I to eve teasing or something worse. It also causes anxiety in would always prefer a crowded bus instead, to be carefree my parents, sitting 2000 km away, hoping that I am safe on during my ride. the streets of my own country, a country that promises me As a precaution, yes, indeed, I try to avoid some dresses freedom as a right. So if a right is unconditional and freedom which may attract the wrong attention. It is not my dress I is a right, why should my freedom have a cost? will be conscious about, but the strange looks it would attract, Hyderabad is considered to be one of the relatively friendly that would make me feel uncomfortable. Sometimes I feel cities of the country, with bustling streets throughout the low on confidence that I make decisions going by someone day. However, the moonlight cloaks these very streets in fear else’s mindset. However, I do not have another choice, as a and uncertainty, silencing the robustness that Hyderabad working woman who uses public otherwise exudes. Highways, Ring Roads and the periphery transport. I try never to let my fears of the city, which is the site of most college campuses, are come in my way, and walk confidently the prime locations where the overall safety, especially that and with a bold attitude, which I feel of women, is highly compromised. The threat to safety is is a guard against men having mostly nocturnal, and most girls feel unsure about stepping improper intentions. out once the sun has set. It does not matter if a girl is dressed in traditional wear or western wear; they are all equally Shabarni Basu is an Assistant Professor in a Kolkota college, and a subjected to uncomfortable instances of catcalling or teasing. freelance writer. Despite this, any girl stepping out alone, at whatever time of the day, tries her best to be dressed in a ‘non-provocative’ way. As is obvious, nobody would want to encounter situations The Hyderabad tale like these, which is why any girl has to think twice before NE question that I have been encountering all my life is, leaving her safe premises. O“Freedom is important, but at what cost?” The general If the girls do decide to step out, it is only in groups, with response that I’ve had to this question is a sigh, followed by equipments like pepper sprays always in their bags, and their a silent understanding of the context it is being told to me in. transport details being tracked by family or close friends. The Sometimes, the lacunae of our society are so deeply ingrained problem lies in the fact that safety is area specific even within in the way we function; we silently accept it as our way of a city, so it is extremely difficult to draw black or white life. So, as a 20-year-old female student living away from generalisations. Women’s safety in Hyderabad is somewhat

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 9 selectively permeable – if certain parts of the city can be safeguarded for women, why not the entire city? Should the safety of the people in the city – especially that of its women, be a relative factor? 

Ishma Raina is a student at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences with a special fascination for Indian History. Her introduction to the diversity in India began right from her schooling days. Avid reading and travels across different parts of the world like Russia, UK and Japan have only strengthened her quest to know and showcase India better.

On the road, but unharmed! AFETY of women, a very sensitive issue in our country, Sbut also something that is misunderstood. We are being told that it’s not safe for a woman to travel in India. I agree, there are bad elements in the society, but there are equally Anvi Mehta with her friend on the road; this was an helpful people in the country. unexpectedly hassle-free journey Recently, I travelled from Champawat in Uttarakhand, to country on a bike. Even during my stay in Pune for one and Delhi on a bike (Activa) last month. We were two girls and half years, I felt safe. We used to go out late nights and return the distance was 500 km. As we entered Uttar Pradesh, we home late. There was an instance when two men followed were more than nervous because of the horrendous things we us, a friend of mine and I. We were scared and instead of had heard of. But nobody bothered us in any of the small stopping we raced the bike faster. They followed us and did towns that we passed. The best instance was when we reached overtake us. When they stopped us, they told us that our Delhi and we had to look for a place to stay. The online bike’s stopper was down, we could have fallen if we had hotels did not have any vacancy, we had to go the traditional encountered a speedbreaker. We were stumped. The men did way of hotel hunting. At midnight, in Lajpat Nagar, we were not really mean harm, but we thought they did. Maybe it is hunting for hotels and a few men asked us of our problem, my luck, but up till now, I have not experienced any eve teasing trying to help us. People did stare at us, which was bad, but during nights in Pune. Unfortunately, it is in crowded places we did not feel unsafe at any point. We were carrying a Swiss and festivals that we had guys passing comments, and during knife for safety, but never did we need to use it. The third day events like Ganesh Chaturthi and New Years Eve. But I believe we had to travel back to Champawat and had to halt at a again, we need to create an environment where it’s safe for hotel on the highway. Fortunately, we met a Sikh guy owning women to be out. Also, women have to be vigilant and know a guest house. One thing I have come to believe is that you about their surroundings. We can’t are safe and you won’t be harassed if you are with a person expect others to work for our safety following Guru Nanak ji. The Sikh man was more than and freedom. We have to do it concerned for our safe and comfortable stay. We reached our ourselves. location very safely, though many would think that this was a risky move. We need to have such an environment that women After completing her engineering, Anvi Mehta interned for a newspaper and can move freely wherever and whenever. has been freelancing since then. We did it, we are happy that everything went well. If Currently working in Uttarakhand as a Fellow, she travels to document anyone asks us to do it again, we would love to go across the different cultures and arts.

The Top 5 safest cities in the world Tokyo (Japan), Melbourne (Australia), New York City (USA), Zurich (Switzerland), and Toronto (Canada) are considered the top five safest cities in the world. The only Asian city which figures in the top ten is Singapore. These cities are ranked on personal safety, infrastructure safety, health security and digital security. These rankings are by www.earthporm.com. And wondering where India figures? Well, no Indian city figures even in the top twenty safest cities of the world! Why aren’t we surprised?

10 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 SAFETY TheThe charmcharm ofof ChennaiChennai Chennai, the southern capital city, has come of age. Once mocked as the place of ‘Madrasis’, ‘lungis’ and horrendous heat, today, it is perceived as a traditional, yet, an evolved city, which is also perhaps the safest for women. Liz Thottan, an avid traveller and surfer, sings paeans to her city.

NDIA has the most misogynistic men in the world, thanks last 20 years. With social media, internet, fancy jobs and the to the god like status given to a male child from the time poor or the lower middle class getting their hands on every Iof his birth. I am not saying this off the top of my head. luxury out there, young girls want to live the life of Carrie But some facts that I got to learn while studying the psychology Bradshaw (of Sex and the city), mimicking the Western world of men in India a few years back. The need was to deal with now that they have access to their own money. This also men within my own family, and to understand and be more gave women the confidence and the conviction that they can compassionate to be better than deal with the men, and they can country I was born be leaders in their in. It’s not easy as a own world. woman to live in These days India. We have to men want working be cautious, aware women as their and own a huge bride. Not because presence of mind at they have evolved all times. to understand an It is also a very independent conservative woman, but country. We are because a working conditioned to think woman means he in ways that does can be a couch not make sense to potato and be the rest of the world. treated as a god The male is the Women on the Marina Beach, Chennai; the city is considered relatively more safe even in married than other Indian cities dominant factor in life. Men by and every family. A large are becoming lazier with this trend. Just an observation. female has to behave in certain ways that have been designed With all these complex changes in the Indian society, by not just the ancestral males, but also the ancestral females. there has been an increasing amount of molestations, rapes Every voice of a female present and in the past has been and and killings. Nirbhaya case in Delhi a few years back will be stubbed by the authoritative male of this society. It became the face of this changing India. How safe is this therefore is a very complex, demeaning and disrespectful country for women? Survey after survey conducted since country at large for a female to survive, flourish and bloom to then, tries to find which is the safest city for women to her full potential. work in. Very often the one city that pops up on top of this Now you may pin point a finger at me and say I am list has been Chennai. I am not saying this because I live in generalising. Yes, I am talking about what at least 90% of Chennai. Let’s be practical here. Why is Chennai the safest the women born in India go through at some point in time in city in the country? I used to run a paying guest their lives. Nintey percent does give me the right to generalise accommodation for ladies in Chennai. And one of the I hope. reasons that women from the North decided to come to With this as a background of Indian society, imagine the Chennai to work, in spite of its traditional, conservative financial revolution that we have been going through in the lifestyle, was the safety factor.

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 11 Chennai, the safest? One of my girl friends and I used to go to late night shows What makes Chennai a safe city? From my analysis, it on a bike, and get back to our PG at 1am or so. I never felt has got a lot to do with its culture. People by and large in scared in this city. Though people are old fashioned, this Tamil Nadu are shy, humble and realistic. I culture has not given way to sleaze balls of the society (as in Delhi), where parents have find them a lot more docile, compassionate In my corporate life, to be worried about their girls coming home! and helpful by nature. Their loving nature spills all my work I would love to go back to Chennai any day”! over to being respectful towards women. They involved night says Deepthi, who hails from Hyderabad, and are more appreciative of women than shun shifts, right from them. It is truly a non-aggressive State, and now lives in Bangalore. my Taj Coromandel “As the mother of teenage girls, I have its capital all the more so. If we draw days, till my last job comparison to the two mass movements that had no worries about raising them in with Blue Dart Chennai. I always talk to them about were held within a matter of few days in the Aviation. Long month of January, actions did speak louder than harassment and provide orientation hours and late words. The New Year’s celebration in regarding why they need to watch out and nights have been a Bangalore and the Jallikattu revolution in where they must be cautious, and so on. part of my job. I Chennai. Need I say more? Never letting anyone, be it a man or a I have been a resident of Chennai for 32 cannot remember woman, touch them, was the first lesson. years. During my school years, I have had the of one instance We don’t live in fear and ofcourse we don’t usual casanovas following me, not to harass, where I felt venture out after 11 pm as well”, says but merely to talk to me. I was this new comer threatened or Chitradeepa Anantharam, who works for The from Mumbai, and back in those days, a scared in a late Hindu in Chennai. Mumbai girl was a dream girlfriend to have, I night taxi drive or a Most of the women felt it is also guess. bike ride in the necessary to dress appropriately depending In my corporate life, all my work involved middle of the night. on the surroundings. Now many of you will night shifts, right from my Taj Coromandel More often, I have argue and ask,”Why do we have to change days, till my last job with Blue Dart Aviation. only felt protected our style to please anyone?” Here is my take Long hours and late nights have been a part of than scared! Some on it: We don’t have to change our style, but my job. I cannot remember of one instance of the drivers would we need to change the mentality of Indian where I felt threatened or scared in a late night make sure that I men. Till that is a 100% success, we always taxi drive or a bike ride in the middle of the entered the house, have to be on our guard. It’s not about the night. More often, I have only felt protected before they would women, it’s about the men. Till they come of age,be logical, be sensible and be safe! than scared! Some of the drivers would make go away. sure that I entered the house, before they would go away. The role of the police But besides all this, the absolutely efficient Chennai police A spot survey about Chennai’s safety force plays a major role in the safety of Chennai. They are As a part of this article, I did a general survey within my everywhere, be it day time or night. And they are always on friends group to see what they had to say. the vigil, and at the same time, extremely friendly and helpful. “Always felt safe in Chennai, I am by nature a cautious They do not cause fear among its citizens, rather, they come person and that only adds to my security. The night life across as a friend in need. Therefore, it is very easy for women does not spill into the streets and cops are here and there, to approach them for help. and the people of Chennai make you feel comfortable all The cultural, traditional and intellectual background of the time..”, says Bindu Sathianesan, a hardcore ‘Chennaiite’, the people of Chennai makes it a who now resides in Dubai. very convenient city to live in, for a “Chennai is one of the cities, I felt safe in. Though people woman. This, I, a proud Chennaiite, always complain about the weather and language, it is one can completely vouch for.  of the few cities in this country that respects women and makes them feel safe. I remember I used to stay in a PG In the writer’s words: “In our youth, many of us talk about quitting at 40 with only girls, and we used to go out all the time. There and living life on one’s own terms. Have you met any such person yet? Here I were hardly any instances where we were ogled at or teased. am. My life as a nomadic wanderer”.

12 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 SAFETY NoNo placeplace fforor thethe elderly?elderly?

Often, senior citizens are abused in their own homes, a growing and disturbing trend in India, where the elderly are living longer lives. Shoma A. Chatterji discusses some case studies and suggests ways to keep our senior citizens, emotionally safe and secure.

OME years ago, a beautiful television clip on elderly to abuse, refused food, and finally abandoned by his son and citizens showed a series of visuals of elderly people daughter-in-law. Bhatia, then 81, shifted to an old age home. Swithout dialogue or commentary. In the end, there Bhatia is no exception, but is an example of the rule of elderly was just a single line that appeared in the frame. It said, “It being not only neglected by children and family members, but is not Death they are afraid of, it is Life.” A telling comment also physically abused. According to statistics, around 20% on the insecurity old age brings along with it, when the state, elders from Delhi, and 23% across India have claimed to society and family have had personal brush off their experiences of being responsibilities towards abused. people who need to be A recent Calcutta taken care of, never High Court ruling may mind whether they are bring a smile to healthy, or in need of thousands of ousted medical care or not. parents. In a relief to thousands of elderly Tragic case studies parents pushed out of On February 18, their own homes to Durgaprasad old age homes by Chatterjee, a terminally their sons, the ill septuagenarian Calcutta High Court jumped to his death ruled that children from the 7th floor of a living in their parents’ private hospital. He house have to listen knew he was dying of to them and respect cancer. He was Elderly people in an old age home; out of choice, or cast aside? them, or else find their depressed, he felt own separate alone, and felt his treatment would be a heavy burden on his accommodation. The ruling by Judge Jaymalya Bachi came family. He took what he thought was the easy way out. Just while hearing the case of prolonged mental and physical a day before, Kalpana Bardhan, 72, quietly stepped out of her torture of Subhaschandra and Birati Haldar of West Bengal, home in the early hours of the morning with a can of kerosene. at the hands of their son Subhendu and daughter-in-law Ria. She walked up to the park in the neighbourhood, emptied The couple had approached the High Court first in 2014, the kerosene can on herself and then lit herself up. Morning alleging police inaction against their son and daughter-in- walkers watched the macabre incident unfold in front of their law, despite reports of torture. A High Court ruling on April eyes, but did nothing to save her. She lived with her children, 17, 2015, by Justice Indraprasanna Mukhopadhyay, ordered but the neighbours did not report any conflict or cruelty. the police to warn the son and daughter-in-law. However, Among the elderly willing to share their stories with the when summoned, the young couple brought along their son, rapporteurs on the ‘Elder Abuse in India (2013) Report’ was begged for mercy and made the old couple emotional by using J.S. Bhatia, then 80. He had always looked forward to a their grandson. happy and content retired life with his children. Reality painted The matter seemed settled until the torture recommenced. a grim picture because he soon found that he was subjected Unable to bear it anymore, the old couple again approached

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 13 the police on December 6, 2016, and an FIR (First Information they feel that they cannot pull along with active work any Report) was filed. The son and daughter-in-law were arrested, more? Why turn them into dependent citizens when they are but later released on bail, sources revealed. The landmark capable of sustaining their independence? A considerable judgment has brought a ray of sunshine hope not only to the percentage of adult children of elderly citizens are settled old couple, but to thousands of ousted parents languishing in away from their roots in India and beyond. Their responsibility old age homes in the state. Many of them plan to reclaim towards their elderly parents is mostly confined to sending their properties, ousting their sons and their families. money and gifts and perhaps making annual visits for short stays. Is this enough for the safety and security of elderly The grim statistics people? According to the 2011 Census report, the percentage of “Able and willing children who are financially affluent are not people above 60 years of age is 8.6% of the population. In cruel towards their parents, but cannot look after them because 2009, the percentage of old people in the country was 7% the parents are unwilling to leave their roots to settle down with and by 2050, it would increase up to 20% of the total their children in a different place. The other reason is that they population. Although the life span of an Indian at birth is 63 do not wish to bring their parents to live with them, because years, at 60, it becomes 78 years. That is, a person who they are scared of value and lifestyle differences stemming from lives up to 60 years has a chance of living 18 years more. generation gap,” says Sudeshna Roy who has made a lovely film Facts reveal everyday that senior citizens are not given on a Bengali Old Age Home for the affluent elderly. proper respect, care, affection, security and health related In their paper Risk factors for suicide in elderly in facilities, factors elderly people require much more than adult comparison to younger age groups (Indian Journal of citizens who are not senior yet, do. According to a news Psychiatry, Vol. 57, Issue 3), P.N. Suresh Kumar, P.K. Anish report by Vaibhav Ganjapure (Times of India, January 8, 2017), and Biju George inform us that the elderly population has a crimes against senior citizens are increasing at a rapid pace. significant risk of suicide when compared to any other age He reports that around 1000 incidents of elderly abuse were group. Despite this, suicide among the aged receives scant recorded over the last five years in Nagpur alone. attention. Hence, identification of suicide risk factors specific The Report Elder Abuse in India (2013) released by NGO to this population, they feel, will help in the development of Help Age India revealed that as many as 70% of the respondents suitable prevention strategies for this group. A significant said they were abused, but did not report the matter. number in the elderly group had attempted suicide more than “Maintaining confidentiality of the family matter” was the major a week after a stress-related incident. reason behind not reporting abuse (for 33%), followed by “fear of retaliation” (for 39%). Many did not report abuse, as they Ageing well “did not know how to deal with the problem.” The most common There are positive ways of combating the social and forms of abuse experienced by the elderly were disrespect (41%), psychological impact of ageing. The minute one begins to get verbal abuse (32%), with a shocking 27% also facing physical alarmed about approaching 60, the age that marks the clock abuse, including beating/slapping. The study was carried out in beginning to tick the other way, a minute spent recalling a nine cities viz., Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, few familiar faces popping up in the Indian media – electronic Bhopal, Chennai, Patna, Hyderabad and Bangalore. or print – will do away with the alarm bell. The late M.F. The report goes on to add that with more old people Hussain sold a 100 paintings at a first-time-ever price of Rs.100 living longer, the households are getting smaller and congested, crores – 75 of these paintings existed only in his creative causing stress in joint and extended families. Even where they mind. Khushwant Singh, till he reached 90, was sitting cosy are co-residing, marginalisation, isolation and insecurity are inside his bulb and writing raunchy books and columns. Zohra felt among the older persons due to the generation gap and Sehgal at 90 wrote her memoirs and continued to make her change in lifestyles. Increase in lifespan also results in chronic presence strongly felt on the big and small screens, till a few functional disabilities, leading to a need for assistance by the months before she passed away. Filmmaker Aparna Sen at older person, to manage even the simple chores of daily living. 70-plus continues to direct films. Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen continues to jet across the world with his theories on Why should 60 be the retirement age? poverty and education. The most classic example is the white- Government service and its allied organisations are fixing bearded Amitabh Bachchan, who pops up in every other ad the cut-off date of retirement from active service at 60. Why, and appears in umpteen films, who illustrates with his life when health care and a healthy lifestyle have extended the and lifestyle, his positive approach to ageing. life-span of the elderly? Why be forcefully laid off much before (Continued on page 21)

14 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 SAFETY SafSafetyety ahoahoy!y!

India’s drowning statistics are rather alarming – a whopping 30,000 die due to drowning every year! Yet, lifeguard presence on our beaches, for instance, are gestures in tokenism. Karn Ragade discusses beach safety at length.

S many as 30,000 people die in India that it is not that people do not want to acquire basic safety due to drowning every year, which is said skills in and around water bodies, but they see it as an Ato be the second major cause of unnatural deaths in unproductive and less important skill. A large number of our country. Maharashtra tops the list with 4,822 drowning drowning accidents resulting in death are due to low awareness deaths in 2014, followed by Madhya Pradesh (4,299), Karnataka of safety. BLS (Basic Life Saving) skills should be made an (2,162), Gujarat (2,116) and Tamil Nadu (1,899). These five integral part of the schooling system today. It seems to be states account for 51% of drowning cases across India. The more of a necessity than a need. shocking statistics (from a survey conducted by the National Crime Bureau Records), draw attention to the severe lack of Drowning, a global killer safety mechanisms on our beaches. According to the World Health Organization’s, World Drowning Report 2016, drowning is the 3rd largest global India lacks a ‘beach policy’ killer in the world and claims more than 3,72,000 lives in a India has many popular beaches which are frequented by year. Multiple reasons revellers throughout have also been the year. The footfalls identified for the same, are high, especially some of which during weekends and include: public holidays. The  Gender survey shows that mortality – Males have despite the fact that a higher tendency and death due to drowning risk of drowning than has been on the rise women. in the last decade,  Access to India does not have a water – People who beach policy to live next to open water safeguard the lives of sources are at a higher its citizens. After the risk of drowning. tragic death of 14  Flood disasters students of a Pune – Drowning accounts college at Murud for nearly 75% deaths beach on February 1, The popular Goa beaches like Calangute have good lifeguard presence; in floods. 2016, the but most beaches in India are left unmonitored  Travelling on Maharashtra water – People travel government had announced that it will draft a fresh policy across water bodies with minimum safety gear, which is and guidelines for beach safety, focusing on signage and high risk. information about dangerous spots on beaches. But not much headway has been made since then, and our beaches continue The India story to be unsafe. With a gigantic coastline of nearly 7,500 kilometers and Having spent a year or so at Rashtriya Life Saving Society multiple star properties, adventure facilities, water sports (India), an 18-year-old organisation which aims at equipping training institutes etc., set up across almost the entire coastal people in basic lifesaving techniques, we have come to realise belt, safety should be of utmost concern in India. Unfortunately,

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 15 it is the most neglected aspect. There are not enough lifeguards on our beaches, nor adequate equipment to tackle emergencies. Just because a person dons a lifesaving jacket does not mean he is safe from danger. We have to understand that a lifejacket is only a piece of equipment and not Sanjeevani booti which can restore life. To be conscious about what one is doing in and around water bodies is the first aspect of safe beaches. Second, there is a rigorous level of training required to be able to assist a person in case of an emergency, before any medical assistance arrives. We know this Nippers is about learning new skills, gaining confidence and having as First Aid. There is a lot more to it than tying fun in a safe beach environment. For Nippers, the beach is the classroom. They gain confidence by passing the ‘tests’ of swimming, bandage or using age-old grandma’s practices to heal board paddling, beach sprinting, dolphin-diving, spotting a rip, having wounds. An intense understanding of possible fun with new friends, and discovering things about themselves. scenarios and probable actions are required to save lives, in and around water bodies. distance of almost three km away from the victim, what are his chances of being rescued? We can do the math ourselves. Our beaches are unsafe The loss of young lives in the water body drowning scenario A harsh truth is that our beaches are anything but safe. in India is alarming as the below figures show. We lose over In most places lifeguards are “trained” to become just cosmetic 30,000 youngsters to drowning almost every year. The figures elements of a beach where there is footfall. There are very could be much higher as many of the deaths due to drowning few beaches in India that can assure that their lifeguards are go unreported. (See graph below) 100% trained to save lives in case of an accident. Many of Beach safety awareness is very low in India. People who our beaches are unmanned or do not have enough trained do not know to swim venture into the sea, without knowing lifeguards transforming a day of fun and frolic into a nightmare the topography or checking the time of high tide and low if a drowning incident results in loss of life. tide. They should be alert to the potential dangers. Talking to Mandates do not have to be drafted by authorities to locals and checking on the danger spots is always helpful. It emphasise and ensure that our beaches are safe. It’s all about is imperative for each and every one of us to be empowered putting humanity and some basic principles into practice. with basic lifesaving skills. We never know when we may Though there is no fixed distance that a lifeguard should have to use them. Appropriate and thoughtful assistance given monitor, it is rather surprising that one lifeguard (LG) or two to a victim in the ‘Platinum Period’ (15 minutes after the are expected to man a beach of about three kilometres. incident), can result in his survival until medics arrive and do Considering a person is drowning about 800 metres inside their part. the water and the current is pulling him; with two LGs at a Wisdom from the West Our beaches can only be safe if we decide to keep them safe. We often compare ourselves and aspire to follow the lifestyle of the Western world. Let us begin by valuing life. Countries like Australia imbibe lifesaving skills in ‘Nippers’ (a junior activities programme for children between the age of 3 and 12) where the parents and local population volunteer. Everyone is a Lifeguard and all Nippers undergo training to be able to be safe and at the same time enjoy themselves in and around water. We must take

The above figures from a survey conducted by the NCRB (National our cue from them and work towards creating Crime Bureau Records) between 2010 and 2014 show how the rate of safe beaches. drowning deaths fluctuate between 28,000 and 30,000. (Continued on page 21)

16 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 SAFETY WhitherWhither,, girlgirl popowwer?er? Ironical as it may sound in a country that boasts of the highest number of professionally qualified women anywhere in the world, harassment of women sees no abatement. This is despite sustained campaigns and efforts by the government and other agencies in India, says Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder of Delhi-based Smile Foundation.

N a country that is marching ahead to be in the top bracket Nothing, however, could be more unfortunate than the of developed nations, it is indeed sad to note that there is fact that discrimination of women starts right at her home. Ihardly a day when we do not come across media reports about persecution of women. Women are at the receiving end Numbers don’t lie not only as individuals, but also in groups. She ventures out to the street and she’s not sure what As a society we need to take a hard look. In one of the harassment would greet her at the corner. If she bears a most ignominious examples in the recent past, we cannot daughter, she doesn’t know why the rest of her life won’t be forget the mass molestation in Bengaluru on New Year’s Eve, the same again! The tragic saga continues; generation after multiple cases of sexual violence in the national capital of generation, leaving little chance for Indian society to take a Delhi. Such reports keep flowing from all parts of India, putting giant leap. the nation in a state of constant disgrace with regards to half As a matter of fact, gender-based discrimination and of the country’s population. societal behavior leading to physical and psychological The Nirbhaya case in Delhi brought the entire country harassments, emotional violence bordering on cruelty is never together and emotions took to the streets of Delhi. It was scant in a woman’s basket of woes. Social evils begin at the rightly considered a watershed moment. But more than five womb with female foeticides, infanticides, sexual harassments, years have passed, and perhaps nothing much seems to have rape and dowry related tortures, putting an end to her misery changed on the ground. only at the tomb! India’s sex ratio (male to female) is an alarming 1000:944. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the available Literacy rate is abysmally low with only half of the female statistics. According to the data by the NCRB (National Crime population able to read and write. Close to 1.5 lakh women Records Bureau), Crimes against women increased 34 percent become victims of various crimes annually. Further, an over the last four years. Assault on women accounted for a estimated five crore women face mental and physical cruelty. quarter of cases last year, increasing by 82 percent since Although the legal marriageable age for a girl in India is 18 2012. The NCRB added three more heads in 2014 under years, she hardly has a say in her own marriage. What could which crimes against women were reported: Attempt to be a more glaring contradiction in a country which has more commit rape (4,437), which increased 5% in 2015, abetment women as doctors, surgeons, scientists and professors than of suicide by women (4,060), an increase of 4 %, and women the United States? India is also proud of the Kalpana Chawalas, subjected to domestic violence (461), which increased 8%. Indra Nooyis, P.T. Ushas, Sania Mirzas, Aishwarya Rais, Kiran Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal reported Majumdar Shaws, Kiran Bedis who have won laurels not only the most crimes against women in 2015, with 35,527, 31,126 in India, but internationally. and 33,218 cases, respectively. The increasing numbers of

(L to R): Kalpana Chawala, Indra Nooyi, Kiran Bedi, P.T. Usha and Aishwarya Rai; they have won laurels internationally

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 17 these reported crimes are extremely horrifying, but deep down seriously if that is what they desire from the society. They there is a silver lining, as correctly pointed out by Ms. Varsha need to self-reflect and not be shy of accepting the hypocrisies Sharma, a senior Delhi police officer, as quoted in a BBC around and within. report: “The number of cases is rising because it means women are refusing to suffer in silence.” The genesis of Swabhiman Irrespective of modifying the present set of laws or Smile Foundation, since its inception in year 2002, has incorporating the compulsory subject of moral science in the been supporting child education interventions at grassroots curriculum of the children, the woman is left alone to struggle level. However, societal, cultural, parental pressure and gender and defend herself in the time of crisis. Even in the company biased attitudes, behaviour and practices, always came in of reliable acquaintances, a woman must learn to fight the between the girl child and empowerment. battle alone in case of unforeseen incidents like molestation Swabhiman, meaning self-respect in English, was initiated or rape. in 2005 to address these challenges through a simple yet effective approach. Functioning as an NGO for women, Smile The UN theme Foundation has strategically formulated the programme to This year, on International Women’s Day, the United save the girl child, empower poor, and support women Nations has chosen the theme for the year – ‘Women in the empowerment. The programme is specifically aimed at Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030’. realisation of both individual and collective self-esteem and What does it mean to the women in India? Are they at a inner strength for marginalised and socially excluded women stage where they can aim to achieve gender equality by 2030? and adolescent girls, through innovative community practices. Or is gender equality a distant dream? A tailor-made strategy called the ‘4 S Model’ has been A woman – it is still difficult to imagine one in isolation. It developed under Swabhiman. The ‘4 S Model’ is an acronym is still difficult to view one without her husband, children, for four novel approaches, namely, Seeking Healthcare as a family, without the context of the society she lives in. She’s behaviour, Support for education, Supporters in men through still viewed through the prism of societal morals, and is still male involvement, and Sustaining the change in communities. judged by the weights of the value systems set by her in the The programme identifies adolescent girls and women from society she exists in. the community and develops them into Change Agents, who If we try and analyse the current scenario, we are in turn actively contribute to the community mobilisation experiencing what is called a cultural lag. A place where the process. culture has been unable to keep pace with innovations - So far, Swabhiman has successfully made a difference to technological and otherwise. Does that mean we live in a the lives of over 150,000 women and girl children. society with a culture that stifles women and her expression? In the recent judgments by High Courts and the Supreme Santanu Mishra is the Co-Founder and Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation and looks after the overall operations, Court of India, we see that there are efforts being taken to planning and strategy of the organisation. An IIM-A alumni, he bridge the existing gender gap in the society. Judgments like had a successful stint in the corporate sector as a finance professional before ‘Vishakha’ underline the need to address the safety of women devoting most of his time in the social sector. Smile Foundation began its as they embark on their journeys to self-dependency. But are journey formally in 2002, pioneering these steps being taken towards making a gender equal society the principles of good governance in the non-profits and the innovative – the proverbial too little too late? concept of Social Venture Philanthropy For this process to be sustainable, it must begin from (SVP). In the year 2005, he quit his fulltime corporate career and got within. Women need to stand up if they want to be seen, completely involved in making Smile speak out if they want to be heard, and take themselves Foundation a structured, and successful non-profit organisation.

A woman’s arsenal Given that India is largely unsafe for women, especially those travelling or commuting solo, there are an arsenal of tools and ‘weapons’ women can carry for their personal safety. We all know about the pepper spray. If sprayed on the attacker, it causes irritation on the skin and eyes. The pepper spray on the face causes acute coughing, sneezing and irritation of nose and throat; it is non-toxic, but inflammatory gas, and causes temporary irritation, with no long-lasting effects. It can spray up to a distance of 3 meters. Another useful tool is a lipstick shaped, portable torch, especially if you are passing through a dark stretch, like an ill-lit part of the railway platform or a street. Did you know that there is a ‘safety rod’ which delivers a painful, but non-lethal electric shock? It is advertised as the perfect defense against vicious dogs and molesters. There is a similar tool, a torch, which gives light and can also deliver an electric shock.

18 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 SAFETY FatalFatal journejourneysys India’s figures for road accidents and fatalities, is very high, a good portion of which involves tankers and vehicles carrying hazardous materials. Babji Choudhary gives an account, and what must be done to enhance road safety.

OAD Safety is an issue of national concern, considering its magnitude, gravity and consequent negative impacts Ron the economy, public health and the general welfare of the people. India is home to the largest number of road fatalities in the world. According to the National Crime Records Bureau of the Government of India, 1,41,526 persons died and 4, 77,731 persons were injured during the year 2014, involving 4,50,898 road accidents. Hundreds of road accidents involving hazardous materials were reported from different parts of India every year.

The tragic case studies A Natural gasoline tanker accident on the Western Express Highway in Mumbai in 1991: Although about 25 The LPG Bullet Tanker which caught fire at Perne, Karnataka years have elapsed, the case of a road accident, which occurred on the Western Express Highway in Mumbai towards the end caught fire, three LPG cylinders kept in a godown nearby also of 1991, is still in the memory of many and it was a classic exploded due to the heat generated. example how ignorance can lead to a gruesome disaster, in Oil tanker explosion on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway which 67 people perished. In this accident, a tanker which on 23rd March 2014: Seven people were charred to death on was transporting natural gasoline liquid, overturned, and the the spot while 13 others were injured in an Oil Tanker explosion material started leaking heavily. The general public (mostly on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Highway. tribal), living in the hamlets near the road ignored the plea of The oil tanker went up in flames in Dahanu‘s Charotanaka. the driver/cleaner and started collecting the liquid. Somebody The leaping flames from the burning vehicle also gutted a might have thrown a lighted matchstick inadvertently, and portion of a hotel, located nearby. the liquid caught fire. An ammonia tanker skid off Mumbra Bypass Road, Explosion due to collision of a tourist bus and an acid Thane, on 24th May 2015: A tanker carrying compressed tanker in Goa on 16th January, 2008: At least 12 people, liquid ammonia skid off the Mumbra bypass road and toppled, including 10 non-resident Indians (NRIs) from Britain and releasing large amounts of ammonia. The driver lost control France, were charred to death and 10 other people seriously of the tanker while taking a turn on a narrow road to avoid burnt in Goa when the tourist bus in which they were travelling collision with an incoming truck and fell in to a 14-feet deep collided with a tanker filled with acid, leading to an explosion gutter. The tanker was carrying 14,850 kgs of ammonia. As and fire. No one was hurt. Fortunately, the gas did not spread. The gruesome accident involved four vehicles, including the tourist bus carrying 22 people, the tanker carrying acid, Statistics of road transportation accidents in India and a goods truck. Experience reveals that as not all injuries are reported to An LPG Bullet Tanker caught fire at Perne, Karnataka the police, the actual numbers of injuries requiring hospital on 9th April 2013: Six persons were killed on the spot and visits may be as high as two to three million people. The four injured when a bullet tanker carrying liquefied petroleum situation in India is worsening, and road traffic injuries have gas overturned and the gas leaking from it caught fire at been increasing over the past 20 years. This may be partly Perne on Mangalore-Bangalore National Highway. The accident due to the increase in number of vehicles on the road, but occurred, when the tanker driver lost control while negotiating mainly due to the absence of a coordinated evidence–based a sharp bend. While the gas from the tanker leaked and policy to control the problem. The data shows that the number

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 19 the dangers associated with the goods, and make them take care of their personal safety. During the training programmes, stress is also given on display and interpretation of emergency information panel board on vehicles. They are also made familiar with the various statues concerning them, the transporters and the consigners as stated in Centre Motor Vehicles Rules 1989. KAMA conducts such training programmes for drivers (as per the three-day syllabus mentioned in the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989). For trained drivers,a one-day refresher training programme is conducted, succeeding which, a certificate is issued for one year which is endorsed by the The ammonia tanker which skid off the Mumbra Bypass Road RTO (Regional Transport Office). This certificate entitles the of fatalities has continued to increase at about seven per cent driver to carry hazardous goods on road. These training a year over the past decade except over thelast couple of programmes are conducted at regular intervals at Century Chemicals, Kalyan, on Sundays, once in two months. Till years. If the estimate of road traffic fatalities in India (official) in the year 2014 is taken as 141,526, then the estimate of date, KAMA has conducted 81 batches covering 5,151 serious injuries requiring hospitalisation would be 2122,890. drivers.

Preventing accidents Conclusion The consequences of road accidents are much more serious India has a number of statutes relating to the transport of when the vehicle is loaded with hazardous goods. Hazardous hazardous chemicals. The transport of hazardous chemicals by road is very popular in India and the vehicles used include goods pose a potential danger to life and property. Major road accidents have clearly demonstrated that hazardous chemical pressurised tankers, trucks trailers etc. Amongst the statutes, carriers, when involved in accidents, cause disastrous the Central Motor Vehicles Rules are the most important. There are elaborate rules regarding the transport of hazardous consequences like fire, explosion and spillage, resulting in chemicals. However, these rules are not strictly complied by loss of life and property, besides environmental pollution. Such accidents demand immediate availability of essential some consigners, transporters and drivers. It means that these groups are either deliberately ignoring the safety provisions in information to take appropriate counter measures. Thus, there CMV and other related rules, or carry out their activities due is great scope for improving safety in transportation in general and transportation of hazardous goods in particular. Besides to ignorance or lack of awareness. In any case, it calls for strict enforcement of rules relating to the transport of hazardous the poor infrastructure, poor enforcement of provision of Central chemicals and also calls for actions to create/increase Motor Vehicle Rules and other applicable rules and regulation, lack of awareness about the dangers of hazardous chemicals awareness amongst consigners, transporters and drivers. The real pressure and motivation to improve driving skills and what to do in an emergency, is also a matter of concern. can come only through licensing authorities, by adopting The quality of professional drivers is very poor. These drivers hardly have any educational qualification or specialised training. stricter, more comprehensive and scientifically based tests, laying stress on road rules and regulation and traffic control They come from very poor families and are held in very low devices. In addition to this, recognised institutions can further esteem in society. Incidentally, statistics reveal that in India, drivers are add to increase the competency level of these drivers by imparting training on the precautions to be taken during loading, responsible for more than the 70 % of the road accidents unloading, and transportation of involved in vehicles. Hence we must pay much more attention in improving the quality of drivers. hazardous goods and make them aware of handling the situation in case With this in view, the Kalyan Ambernath Manufacturer of emergencies, in order to save life, Association (KAMA), NSC-Action Centre, has undertaken the task of promoting safety in transportation by increasing the property and environmental degradation. competency level of the drivers and making them aware of the hazardous nature of the goods and the safety measures to Babji Choudhary is Sr. Manager (SHE), be undertaken. Emphasis is given on making the drivers aware, Century Rayon, and Chairman, SHE Committee, KAMA, NSC Maharashtra in case of accidents, on how to warn the general public about Action Centre.

20 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 and a member of the International Life Saving Federation, SafSafetyety ahoahoy!y! has taken the lead to create a beach culture among many coastal states across India. Their projects like SwimNSurvive (Continued from page 16) which are based upon the ethos of delivering water safety training to children between the age group of 10-16 years, Developing a healthy beach culture have been quite successful. They have also trained over At an administrative level I feel the government must 10,000 children over the past eight years since the project draft stringent rules and regulations to be implemented implementation. Drishti, a lifeguarding and patrolling across the Indian sub-continental belt with appropriate organisation in the state of Goa has its lifeguards spread punishments for disregard of rules, to make our beaches across all its beaches with demarcations for safe and rough safe. At the same time, all important safety equipment waters. The organisation has been playing an important should be made mandatory at all beaches. This should role in ensuring beach safety. We need to learn from our include rescue tubes, ropes, foam boards, megaphones for mistakes, take a cue from developed countries, and make warning, buoy rings, Inflatable Rubber Boats (IRBs), surf serious efforts to make our beaches safe and minimise loss boards etc., and most important, a dedicated team of of lives in and around water bodies. volunteers which is skillfully trained and empowered to save lives the right way. Safety signage at our beaches are Karn Ragade is a faculty member of English Language and Literature sometimes in the most dilapidated condition. The signboards for the Middle Years Programme at have to be clearly visible and at vantage points, which will the prestigious Victorious Kidss act as a warning to revelers. Educaress, a model IB school in Pune. He has spent many years in Many organisations have come forth in the recent past social service. He continues to to ensure that a proper beach culture is developed across pursue his interest in the same by all the coastal states. This has to begin by building volunteering with organisations to rekindle maritime awareness among awareness about beach safety. Rashtriya Life Saving Society masses, and also by supporting (India), an official branch of the Royal Life Saving Society, basic first-aid training. NoNo placeplace fforor thethe elderly?elderly?

(Continued from page 14)

Dr. Rupa Talukdar in her paper, Senior Citizens, a Brief and not as the end of the book. Clocks keep ticking away, so Statement on them and How is their Present Status states one must do what one can to stay active in the autumn of that “It has been proved after experiments among the old, one’s life. As there is no cure for old age, early prevention of aged volunteers, that with old age, general knowledge degenerative changes holds the key to sustained physical, increases, logical reasoning and spatial insight remain almost mental and social well-being in later life. unaffected, and emotional stability expands, because elderly Finally, safety, preventive, corrective or curative or all three, use the frontal part of the brain which controls emotions, for the elderly, lies in their own hands, and the police, the more than the young. The ability to read fiction does not state and the legal machinery along with the immediate family, deteriorate significantly and vocabulary peaks at the age of can only offer a support system. 85. If older people get something wrong, they are likely to Shoma A. Chatterji is a freelance perform the task because they are more focused on the journalist, film scholar and author. She rewards/happiness that comes from good solutions. has authored 17 published titles and won the National Award for Best Ageing is looked at as a traumatic period of life. But with Writing on Cinema, twice. She won the time, we have realised that ageing is no trauma. It is in fact, UNFPA-Laadli Media Award, 2010 for ‘commitment to addressing and a healthy transformation of roles from that of a son to father analysing gender issues’ among many and on to that of grandfather. The trauma ‘aspect’ comes awards. She is currently Senior Research Fellow, ICSSR, Delhi, from the Western concept of death as finality. Oriental researching the politics of presentation philosophy however, looks at death as an end of one chapter of working women in post-colonial Bengali cinema 1950 to 2003.

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 21 SubscriptionSubscription

22 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 KNOW INDIA BETTER

The quaint backdrop of the sea, waters of a brackish lake lapping at your feet, the town of Pulicat fondly called Pazhaverkadu in Tamil, entices you with its large lake and its unparalleled history. Dotted with a few century-old mosques, temples of 11th and 13th century, churches dating back to the 1700s, the picture postcard town is a must-visit, if one appreciates nature and has an eye for heritage.

Text & photos: Nivedita Louis The obelisk and plaque marking the boundary of Madras in front of Dare House, Parrys, Chennai

HY don’t we go on an impulsive trip? You will members had come in early to show me the plaque erected in enjoy it”, queried one of our heritage group senior memory of the bombing of Madras by the ship SMS Emden on Wmembers, Venkatesh, and I nodded my head September 22, 1914. Though war clouds had threatened without batting an eyelash. A heritage trip on a peaceful Madras so often during both the World Wars, it was this German Saturday, with like-minded enthusiasts – What more can one light cruiser that actually managed to bomb the city, injuring a ask for? The plan was to meet at Parrys Corner, the most shepherd, his goat, and two others. The plaque can now be prominent landmark of North Chennai, and I was there well found on the compound wall of Madras High Court, near its before time. beach road entrance. I gaze lazily at the pillar before the famed Parrys building – Taking pictures of it, we then dig into idlis and sambar of the Dare House that marked the boundary of the fortification the famed Murugan Idli Shop at Armenian Street, with gusto. the British made to protect the Esplanade from the French. “No food on the way till we reach Siruvapuri for lunch, an The date of the masonry obelisk pillar reads, “Boundary of the army marches on its stomach said Napoleon”, Venkatesh esplanade – January 1, 1773”. As promised, one of our group announces and chuckles, as we gulp down everything we can. Our journey commenced in two cars, and we drive past the seven wells – Chennai’s first regulated water supply system executed in 1772. A military residential complex stands at its place now as we whizz past and slow down at Ebrahim Street, Royapuram. Tucked away along the roadside is a small park with rickety gates, and a flight of stairs. As we climb over centuries of neglect, we are told this is the only remaining part of the North Wall of Madras, completed in 1772 by Paul Benfield. The wall ran for six kilometers and had 17 bastions at its height of glory, touted to protect the city from the French and Hyder Ali. Plans of further expansion were shelved after the demise of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Remnants of the wall remain even today, about 60 feet long, which is now called the Maadi poonga or the terrace park. Clicking a few pictures Remnants of the North Wall of Madras, now the ‘terrace park’ of the same, we continue our journey up north.

24 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 The serene Puzhal Lake

The 150-year-old Puzhal Lake the walls of the structure, which still boasts of large manicured Our next stop is the Puzhal Lake – a reservoir that collects shrubs along the entrances. I could very well imagine an water from the Kortalayar River. Built in 1876, this water engineer sitting on the verandah smoking his pipe, children reservoir now stores water from Krishna and Telugu Ganga for playing around, and a cool breeze wafting from the dam. The use by Chennai city. We drive further north and reach the Shiva original plaque erected during the opening of the dam lies on temple run by the Chinmaya Mission at Nallur village. The temple the dusty path, with the date inscribed, crying for attention. itself is built in a distinct structure of a giant lingam towering The automatic weirs must be a treat to watch, during the about 50 feet high. The acoustics at the temple mesmerises monsoons. Water from Korattalaiyar is stored here and diverted one. The priest’s ‘Om’ chanting reverberates in the entire via Sholavaram and into the Red hills reservoir. structure, imparting a certain divinity to the surroundings. Though Our next stop is Tirukallil. The temple and deity of the of no historical value, this stopover was spontaneous, and I am Tirukallil Temple, Sivanandeswara, have found mention in glad we did stop here, for the unique acoustic experience. the Devaram verses sung by Thirugnanasambandar, the Shaivite Our next stop is the air strip at Sholavaram. Sholavaram’s airstrip was used as a runway during the Second World War by the Royal British Air force for anti-submarine operations. The nondescript runway was later used as a race track for motor sport, till a new track was commissioned at Irungkattukkottai nearby. Now it has been closed for public and is being used by the military. With a cursory glance from the road, we proceed to Thamaraipakkam Check Dam.

The laterite checkdam Built across the Kosasthalaiyar River, the huge laterite checkdam with weirs was constructed in 1868. It was extended later on, but unfortunately, not a drop of water could we see in the dam. What we did see is an abandoned PWD inspection bungalow dating back to 1915, the walls in good condition, but the tiled roof having given away. Careless garffitis deface King Vikrama Chola’s inscription, Sivanandeswara temple, Tirukallil ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 25 Sivanandeswara Temple, Tirukallil saint. Prayers in this temple bring fame and peace says his queer hexagonal shape, now white washed with total disregard poem. The small tank in front of the temple – the Nandi for whatever inscriptions remain etched there. As we roam Theertham is kept well-fenced. As we enter the temple, the around the temple, we strain and decipher successfully the priest calls out to us and performs aarti. I note tiny letters name Kopperukesari Vikrama Chola (dating back to probably adorning the ceiling of the sanctum sanctorum which is in a 12th century), beneath the old blue fading paint. There is another

The 1915 Inspection Bungalow, now abandoned, at Thamaraipakkam

26 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 27 Pandya inscription too, which we are unable to Interestingly, Thiruppalaivanam Temple six kilometre away read, our necks and heads reeling from the from Pulicat, built by Rajendra Chola has during 8th strain. The practice of painting everything saffron inscriptions of Chola period (10th century) and white in our temples is a bane. We do not Century, a mentioning the coastal town as Puliyur Kottam, pay attention to what is beneath the paint. group of Arabs which in due course changed to Palliacatta, and Conserving what little inscriptions and thereby who escaped then to Pulicat. It came under the rule of history we have left with us, remains a distant from the Vijayanagara kings during 14-17th centuries. It dream, for we are totally unaware about how monopoly of was under the rule of Krishnadevaraya that the to preserve our heritage. Caliphate, fled port was named Pazhaverkadu, the name that holds water even today. Interestingly, during The Siruvapuri stopover and then, Pulicat from Medina eighth century, a group of Arabs who escaped We are almost exhausted by now, as the and settled from the monopoly of Caliphate, fled from Medina afternoon sun blazes on. We pull over at down at Pulicat. and settled down at Pulicat. The descendants Siruvapuri, planning for a hasty lunch, but end The descendants still live in the town today, called the Labbai up spending an hour chit-chatting about Jimmy still live in the clan. The unique Arwi script of writing Tamil in Carter and democracy. Past one o’clock, we drive town today, Arabic script probably originated here. Quite a towards our destination – Pulicat. Pazhaverkadu difficult form of writing that was not easy to called the is a coastal town, much known for its 450 sq called the decipher, the writings in Arwi were used for km salt-water lake and the migratory birds that Labbai clan. secret communications during our freedom flock there for much needed water and breeding. struggle. People in parts of south Tamilnadu and A bird watcher’s paradise, its close proximity to Chennai, about Sri Lanka still use this script for religious writings. From the 59 km, makes it a great weekend destination. It can also be Cholas, Vijayanagar kings, Portuguese, the town moved into reached by train – it is 20 km by road from the nearest railway the hands of the Dutch, during whose period it was a fort in all station, Ponneri. However, the history of the town is as rich as its glory, and then to the British, who treated it as their tourism its eco-tourism. spot. Pulicat was also home to the famed Palayacot lungies Pulicat has been mentioned during the Chola period. The from which originated the famed Madras checks.

The Dutch Cemetery The dusty lane that branches off from the main bazaar of the town leads us directly to the Dutch Cemetery at xKottaikuppam. The main gate is locked and as we look for clues, two men approach us from the nearby tea-shop. As we explain that we are looking for the cemeteries, one of them

The Nandi Theertham temple tank, Tirukallil

28 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 Obelisks and tombs, Dutch Cemetery, Pulicat

with names of the buried ones, their age, the places where they were from, and the place and date when they died. It is interesting to find places like Rotterdam, Nagapattinam, Machilipatnam, Colombo, and obviously, Palliacatta, mentioned on the tombstones. The caretaker shows us a small opening in one of the cemeteries, a secret underground tunnel that is said to lead to the fort opposite the cemetery. The map of Fort Geldria is embossed on one of the tombstones! Opposite the cemetery is a vast wasteland, sluggish with backwaters, strewn with old brick walls, which the locals say is the old fort. Digging the place has been impossible, as the underground water immediately gushes out, when dug. The next place of visit was the most interesting part of the The entry arch to the Dutch Cemetery, Pulicat tour for me – the Our Lady of Joy Church in Kottaikuppam. dangles the keys and opens up the gates for us. He remained Touted as the first parish of the Roman Catholic Church on our guide throughout the trip and was really proud to show us the Coromandel Coast, I am very eager to see the remnants of around the town. The gates lead to a semi-circular arch that the old church. The massive concrete monstrosity before me has two skeletons inscribed on the sides. On the left is a almost stings my eye, as I race inside the church looking for Dutch verse and to the right is an inscription dated 1656. The even the most nondescript detail left by the church authorities impressive new cemetery is about 300 years old, and is at the during demolition of the old church. With disregard for the south-west corner of the now extinct Geldria Fort. About 77 of value of the old structure originally built by the Portuguese in them line up, in varying sizes and shapes, with distinct 1515, the new structure is two-tiered, with no sign of the inscriptions in Dutch, Portuguese and English. The oldest of beautiful Gothic structure that once stood at this place. The them probably dates back to 1646, and the latest one to 1777. inscription describing the church dating back to 1515 is also Two obelisks stand majestically, and three more arched nowhere to be found. If found, the inscription could prove this cemeteries add to the skyline. The inscriptions are complete as the oldest church on the Coromandel Coast, built a year

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 29 The renovated Our Lady of Joy Church, Pulicat; could this be the oldest church on the Coromandel Coast? before the Luz Church at Chennai in 1516. room nearby, a period attraction when village panchayats were Haggard and weary, we move to our next stop, the provided with a television for the public to watch. St. Antony’s Church, said to be built in the year 1717. The small but neatly painted church still maintains its Renaissance The ride on the lake style, with tiled roof, high ceilings, windows housed in semi- From here, we ogle at the large pottery jars placed in the circular arches, and large wooden doors. There is a small TV courtyards of almost all the houses that hold drinking water. Soon, we reach the lake shores. From here, we board the fishing boat, a ride that cost us `1000, into the lake and from there to the sea. About 96 percent of the lagoon falls under the state of Andhra Pradesh, and the lagoon used to naturally open out into the sea. Due to heavy silt, now the lagoon mouth is dug manually, enabling it to join the sea. The Buckingham Canal is a part of the lagoon on the west, and three rivers – the Arani, Kalangi and Swarnamukhi, drain into the lagoon. Once rich with mangrove forests, now devoid of all greenery, the boat ride is all sweaty and salty on a humid February afternoon. With no shade or cover, I take shelter under my dupatta. There are old abandoned piers that show the date of construction as 1943, as the boat moves further into the lagoon. Slowly, the breeze ruffles our hair and birds start circling us. Sea-gulls, cormorants, storks, egrets, river terns…the colonies of birds attract us, and as we arrive at a tiny islet, where the boatman announces we can get off for a break and we jump out of the boat in awe. The small islet is a beauty, the shores lined up with conches The St. Antony’s Church, Pulicat, which was built in the 17th Century and shells of various shapes and colours. It is a rainbow of

30 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 The Lighthouse of Pulicat; this white and blue structure, stands tall, warning of shoals near the coast colours on white sand, and the group gets all playful, clicking mosque was built in 1708 as per the inscription just above the groupies, collecting shells, drawing on sand and gliding in the entrance arch, and its star attractions are an old 19th century waters. The boatman has a tough time cajoling the history- azaan tower from which the Muzzein sang his prayer calls, buffs-turned-kids back to the boat, and the travel back is equally and a sun dial belonging to the year 1914. The marking and fascinating as we bounce in the water, disturbed by an armada inscription in the sun dial are in Persian script that reads the of fishing boats venturing out into the sea for fishing. The light name of the installer as Haji Mohammed Hussain Saheb of house at a distance attracts us, its dark blue and white hues Muthialpet, Madras. We try to decipher the language of the standing in tall pride. The new light house was built in 1985, and was primarily built to warn of the shoals existing four nautical miles off the coast. It is separated from the town by a small channel. Our plea to get closer to the light house is warded off by the boatman who claims the sand bar is very shallow – about 30- 40 cms, and is very dangerous to get close to the shore. Though disappointed, we agree to his warning and complete the boat ride.

The Chinna Masudhi, and the many temples A coffee and fifteen minutes later, we find ourselves inside the Chinna Masudhi (small mosque). This Huge water pots to store rain water in the Pulicat village

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 31 Chinna Masoodhi or Al Masjidul Mushraf Mosque at Pulicat script and fail miserably, and I resign myself to watching a so does the main temple. The outer Artha Mandapam is all game of marbles being played by little boys. that we can see, and we are spellbound by the intricate carvings We move to a dilapidated old temple next, called the on the supporting beams. Scenes from the Ramayana adorn Adhinarayana Perumal Temple. The temple probably dates back the entire beam on all four sides, right from Ram’s to either Vijayanagar period or to the late Cholas. There is an Pattabhishekam (ascension to throne) to his vanvaas, the inscription in Telugu on the ceiling of the Thayar Sannidhi enticing of Sita by the deer Mareecha, Sita in Ashokvan, (sanctum mandap of the Goddess) that mentions about the Hanuman meeting Sita, the war between Ram and Ravan in period of Vijayanagar King Balavandakulu. The Dhwajasthamba, clear detail, the killing of Ravan, Sita entering the pyre, Lava- sacrificial pillar, and Garuda Sannidhi, stand in shambles, and Kush and finally the happy re-union of the family. We stand

The Adhinarayana Perumal Temple, circa 11th century, is in ruins

32 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 33 Ramayana sculptures on the walls of the Adhinarayana Perumal Temple mesmerised by the perfection of the tiny figurines on the beams the rank vegetation eating away its insides. Immediate and tread past the shrubbery into the Thayar sanctum. This intervention by ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) would be resembles a mini Angkor Wat – the wilderness and trees eating of much help to save this temple. into the space of the mandap, beautifully carved with mermaids, We move to the last stop of our trip – the Samayeswarar Ram with bow, dancing girls, monkey with jackfruit, Garuda Temple. Said to be built in the same period as the Adhinarayana and many many more figurines. Temple, this Siva temple is also in a bad shape. The main The temple was built with red laterite, which is endemic entrance has trees crisscrossing the structure, and it looks as to the Konkan coast, and it is a surprise to find almost all if it is the vegetation that is holding together the main entrance. temples of this area built using it. A haphazard effort has been We enter the temple through another side, distraught at the made by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments ‘restored’ new temple. Thankfully, the outer hall of the temple department to restore the temple using concrete and cement, remains undisturbed, with pillars that have carvings like the which was quashed by the court on petition by concerned Narasimha emerging from inside the pillar, a monkey hanging citizens. The temple is in danger of falling down anytime soon, upside down on the pillar, Kannappa Nayanar and many more.

Sculptures at Samayeswarar Temple, Pulicat The step well at the Samayeswarar Temple

34 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 Fishing boats by the Pulicat lagoon; the town of Pulicat has a lot to offer too

Here too, the supporting beams have tiny figurines carved on days after the World Wetlands Day, to stress the need for saving them, and I am elated to spot a cow ringing a bell – depicting the delicate Pulicat lagoon. The lagoon and its ecosystem are the story of Manu Needhi Chola, and the cow that came looking under serious threat due to pollution and sedimentation. The for justice to him. The various vahanas of the Gods lie in total moisture of the lake is not sufficient to attract the rain clouds, abandon at the mandap and as we walk around the temple, to and there has been severe damage to the climatic balance. our left is a step well. Made of bricks and lime mortar, the What is needed on the conservation of the ecological front is circular well has an adjoining podium from which descend a increased public awareness and governmental support. flight of stairs into a tunnel, giving closer access to the water Conservation and protection of the below. This is unique to the temple, as we have not seen this historical sites is also imperative, if we kind of arrangement elsewhere in Tamil Nadu temples. Tired, want to pass on our rich legacy and yet in a state of bliss, we head back home. heritage to our children. The town of Pulicat has a lot to offer other than the usual Nivedita Louis is a writer, blogger and social activist by choice. Bitten boat ride and fish fry. It has centuries of history waiting by the by the travel bug, and smitten by sands, for the enthusiastic traveler in us to discover. A natural nature, she loves travelling and harbour, the town celebrates an annual Pulicat Day, a few cooking. She blogs at www.cloudninetalks.blogspot.com. Our Last Six Issues To order copies Call: 022-23534400 / E-mail: [email protected] India’s Space The Northeast Humour India’s Heritage Journey The Parent Trap NVC & Sociocracy

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 35 FACE TO FACE with Bobby Sarma Baruah “I felt that through the life of legendary folk singer Pratima Baruah Pandey and her voice, I will be able to preserve for posterity, both the folk songs as well as our Rajbangshi dialect.” Bobby Sarma Baruah is a woman with a mission and a vision. Her mission is making meaningful fi lms that will take slices of life of women in Assam, beyond borders, to the India that does not know much about the culture, lifestyle and philosophy of people in the Northeast in general, and Assam in particular. Her vision is to create a kind of cinema that is a fi nely nuanced blend of the sociological, the emotional, the radical and the aesthetic. This sounds too ambitious a dream, but if one has to go by Baruah’s two feature fi lms, namely Adomya and Sonar Baran Pakhi, she is a woman who delivers what she promises to. She speaks to Shoma A. Chatterji about her journey so far.

Let us hear a bit about your background as a filmmaker. shows a need to live life against the odds, including multi- After forming my own production company in 2006, I made faceted ostracism, which may echo true life stories. Adomya several short films, music videos, television serials and around was screened as the official selection for more than 15 30 documentaries, before I ventured into feature films. I have international film festivals all over the world. now a roster of two feature films as director, producer and scriptwriter. What inspired you to make Sonar Baran Pakhi which is a sort of biographical feature on the noted singer Padmashri Tell us something about your first feature film Adomya, Pratima Baruah Pandey? Was she related to you? which was awarded for being the best film in the spiritual No. She was not related to me. I love our folk songs very category at the 13th Dhaka International Film festival. much, so for me, those songs are the main inspiration and It is about Juri, a recently widowed woman who has contracted specially the Rajbangshi dialect, a very rare dialect in Assam HIV from her engineer husband, who died of AIDS just six and all over India. I felt that through the life of legendary folk months into their marriage. She is also expecting a child who singer Pratima Baruah Pandey and her voice, I will be able may or may not have the virus. Thrown out by her in-laws and to preserve for posterity, both the folk songs as well as our cast aside by a socially backward village society, she has to Rajbangshi dialect. cope with the stigma, her new-born daughter being ostracised, and ultimately of her own loneliness in the aftermath of the What is it that pulled you to Pratima Pandey to make an traumatic events. The script is tilted towards the central entire fictionalised feature on her? character, a woman, who is a victim and whose struggle only Pratima Baruah Pandey (1935-2002) was a woman, an artist

36 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 A still from the ﬁ lm Sonar Baran Pakhi and a musician with a free spirit, who liked to live life her own traditional forms of music of Assam through the film so that way. She came of royal stock and knew everything that a royal people across the world will know and hear and see through princess is trained in such as horse-riding, rifle shooting and so this film the kind of traditions we have within our culture, and on. From whatever I could gather from my research, she was specially the folk songs. a very talented artist. Within such families, smoking, drinking and hunting are a part of their usual lifestyle. But Pratima’s first The music is outstanding and is a leitmotif in this film. What love was nature, which inspired her to create and sustain her kind of research did you conduct about the folk music for this own kind of music. She rebelled against her regal ancestry for film and how long did the research take? the folk music and songs composed and sung by the grassroots It took me almost two years for the whole project as I had people of Assam, such as the mahout or the elephant driver, the to do in-depth research. I went to Gouripur to meet some boatman, songs sung by cowherds, etc. She strived to rescue of the musicians who accompanied Pratima Pandey in her these songs from oblivion and bring them public recognition. performances. I got some information and data from them. She succeeded in this while she was alive. I visited the family members too specially her husband Sankar Pandey, her sister Dukhu Didi and Pratima’s Why did she do so few playbacks over her career? daughter, along with all her relatives. I visited AIR to gather She sang many songs for films in and out of Assam. She information. I consider myself to be very lucky to have specially sang for HMV and for All India Radio (AIR). But due heard her voice through her interview recorded when she to lack of proper preservation and a good archive, her songs was alive. I even read many books and journals about her are not available everywhere. Only HMV and AIR have her during my research. recorded songs. Besides, technology was not as modern as it is today. I used Pratima Pandey’s original tracks in the movie, Other than the flute, which other instruments are mandatory so all songs are sung by her which I collected from AIR. in the folk songs of Assam in general, and Goalpara in particular? What statement are you trying to make through this film? In Assam, folk instruments of all kinds are used by performers, My intention is to preserve her voice and original folk songs but in Goalpara I personally noticed that performers using the through this film. As a creative person, I think it is both Dotara, the Sarinda and Dhol. We shot the film in 2015 at my duty and my responsibility to archive the culture and locations in Kolkata and Assam over 20 days for the shoot.

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 37 Why did you name the film Sonar Baran Pakhi which actually I intended to capture the uncommon threads of life of this means ‘The golden-coloured bird’? gifted artist who, despite being a girl child and being born The name Sonar Baran Pakhi was inspired by one of her and brought up in a royal family, braved all odds, mingled famous songs. Her voice is uncommon and distinctly different, with mahouts (elephant drivers), moishals (buffalo boys) and till this day, no one can sing like she did. We miss her and naworias (river boatmen) in a rural ambience. From the voice which had a unique quality in terms of tenor, pitch, folklorists’ point of view, her renditions of those fascinating folk tuning and so on. songs at national and international platforms with unbridled passion, keeping intact the indigenous flavour, made all the What did you find unique about her character other than her difference. This, I felt, called for a feature-length portrayal of multifaceted talents? her life and works. Pratima remained unaffected by the fame and the acclaim Shoma A. Chatterji is a freelance that came her way. Laurels like the Sangeet Natak Akademi journalist, ﬁ lm scholar and author. She Award, the Padmashree and many more titles were bestowed has authored 17 published titles and won the National Award for Best Writing on on her by cultural bodies across Assam. Her naive nature and Cinema, twice. She won the UNFPA-Laadli down-to-earth personality ensured she continually remained in Media Award, 2010 for ‘commitment to the hearts of the common folk throughout her life. addressing and analysing gender issues’ among many awards. She is currently Senior Research Fellow, ICSSR, Delhi, As a lover and practitioner of cinema, what did you hope to researching the politics of presentation accomplish through this film? of working women in post-colonial Bengali cinema 1950 to 2003.

38 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 WOMEN The day never ends A day in the life of a woman in a North Indian village, is an eye-opener, says Anvi Mehta. She found that women toil at domestic chores from dawn to night, while men do only seasonal work in the ﬁ elds. She also found how a social taboo actually comes to the aid of these overworked, undernourished women.

OMEN’s empowerment, a term which is widely used Win urbanised India, is still a word unknown to its rural counterparts. While we are fighting for equal rights, the women in rural India go through physical, mental and emotional stress each day. It was my first day in a village of Champawat in the district Uttarakhand. I saw a group of men in the main market area, gathered around to play cards. I thought it was a thing that men did in the morning, a community activity of sorts. I spent the later part of the day visiting households to talk to the villagers and understand their lifestyle. Everywhere I went, I saw women busy in some Women in rural India toil for hours in the ﬁ elds and at domestic chores task or the other. Either they would be performing a domestic chore, tending to A demanding daily schedule to our cows, and do some washing of their cattle or working in their fields. It Most of the women in these clothes or spreading of cow dung in the was a rare sight to see women resting or villages have not travelled beyond their house, work in the fields, milk the cows sitting in their porch sipping tea. On the districts, a major reason being their in the evening, fetch water again and other hand, men seemed to be at leisure responsibilities towards their family. cook dinner.” She said all this in almost almost all day. While returning to the They have a rather energy consuming one breath, finally mentioning that the market in the evening, I saw the same schedule, they continuously work number of activities depends on seasons group of men with a few additions, still from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. They walk a too. playing cards. It was shocking to see minimum of 15 km a day with a load The ample amount of work has able bodied men, wasting their time and on their shoulders or heads. They are often taken a toll on the health of the not doing anything productive. both physically and mentally at work, women here. Be it a 14-year-old or a Slowly, as my interaction with the all their life. 60-year-old, women are often seen villagers increased, the women shared When I asked a woman about her carrying heaps of wood on their heads their woes. “Men here only plough the daily schedule, she explained her life or carrying hundreds of litres of water, field and do labour work occasionally. in a few sentences. “We wake up at however taxing it is. Most of the times, the men have no 5 a.m., walk for a kilometre or more work; they gather and play cards or downhill to fetch water, carry two to Improper nutrition, ill health carrom. They drink in the evening, and three buckets of water back home, milk The families in the villages have if we try to stop them, we face verbal our cows, prepare food, ensure our reduced their farming activities due to or physical abuse”, said a 30-something kids are ready for school, walk to the water scarcity and climatic conditions. woman who lived in one of the interior forest and carry fuel and fodder on our This has brought a severe change in villages. shoulder or head, cook lunch, give food their eating habits. Nutrition rich local

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 39 food like mundhwa (millets) and dal these days they are getting influenced think independent thinking is not for have been replaced by wheat and rice. by the culture in the plains, but we them. Because of low financial resources, won’t let our women wear jeans and women in these families tend to eat the work,” said a 40-something man in Menstruation, a taboo or a least. an awareness meeting we had held. I saviour? “I eat after the family does”, says thought the jeans comment was a dig Not entering the kitchen, not going Gita, mother of two, who has symptoms at us, but this statement showed how near the water sources, and not touching of anaemia, but is neglecting it. All she very little freedom is given to women in anyone else in the family – these are a cooked for the day was rice and dal, these villages. few practices followed when women are whatever is leftover after the family of Despite performing 80 percent of in their monthly cycles. They do use five has eaten, will be her food. the tasks, women here believe that cloth pads and are aware of maintaining Because of government they are only good for carrying fuel and hygiene during those days, but they interventions, a few families have fodder. The amount of self-confidence ardently follow the taboos which are chickens and goats, which sometimes they have is not even enough for them attached to the regular monthly cycle of fulfil their protein requirements. The to stand for their basic rights. Women a woman. children in most of the villages get their here are deprived of owning property, “This is what gives us a rest for at afternoon meals in the schools, but they only maintain the fields which are least four days in a month”, said Deepa, women have no source of nutrition at owned by their fathers or husbands. who was sitting in a corner knitting a all. As per a general survey conducted sweater for her two-year-old. She was in the villages, one in ten women fall resting; after a month, she had got or meet with an accident while carrying Another reason for a break for four days. At this point, I fodder and fuel from the jungles. These the low self-esteem is wondered if we should fight against falls result in serious injuries, sometimes their lack of education. these taboos. Were these rules set for they are even fatal. Though the newer women to give them a break from their Yes, there is a cooking gas subsidy, generations are otherwise arduous life? but women still cook on chullahs, struggling to complete causing respiratory problems. Even if graduation, they are A silver lining there is gas connection in the house, it yet not able to take “Things are changing”, Masri amma is not used regularly as the gas filling their decisions out of told me once. She said that she was station is 20 km away. These practical free will. married at the age of 12, but now problems cause an adverse impact on villagers are aware that girls should be the health of women using the chullah Another reason for the low self- educated first. I met a woman named twice a day. esteem is their lack of education. Priyanka, whose husband forced her to My mother said that she was born in Though the newer generations are complete her education, learn to operate a house and not a hospital, but that was struggling to complete graduation, they computers and ride a moped. All this is 50 years ago. Shockingly, the villages are yet not able to take their decisions very rare in this part of the district. But haven’t improved much in the last 50 out of free will. “I used to make paper such examples are a hope that through years; here too, the women give birth flowers and sell them to earn some right education and awareness, the in houses. There is no pre or post natal money for myself when I lived with my condition of women in Chamapawat care, causing most of the children to parents. After marriage, it is difficult to would get better.  be under weight and mothers to fall convince my folks to let me go to the sick. Despite all these health problems, market alone. The men here often doubt After completing her engineering, Anvi women in the villages continue living their wives, there are brawls because Mehta interned for a newspaper and has they think their wife is interested in been freelancing like everything is normal. It is only I, since then. visiting from the city, who skips a beat another man. No work does this to Currently when I see a pregnant woman carrying their minds. I feel like I am tied down”, working in Uttarakhand buckets of water uphill. added a woman. I could see her eyes as a Fellow, filled with disappointment. Even after she travels Low self-esteem all these problems, women do not come to document different cultures “Women can only do house work, together to fight for their freedom, they and arts.

40 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 ADULTERATION Not my cup of tea As with most consumables, tea is also adulterated, ﬁ nds Usha Hariprasad. She brewed a rosy red cup of tea and realised the bitter brew...er, truth!

am a tea addict. No, I don’t drink gallons of tea every day, but I go I exploring the market for the perfect tea blend. The other day at the oldest city market of Bangalore, I found an interesting Darjeeling tea variety. When I brewed it the next day, the tea turned out rosy red. I was delighted. But the next day I had a suspicion. Was the tea mixed with colourants? If yes, was it a done-thing? Most importantly, was it safe to drink a tea laced with colours? A cup of black tea; refreshing or not? Processing of the beverage All varieties of tea come from the green; if oxidised further, they change to Colours not allowed in tea plant Camellia Sinensis. Two varieties colours brown and black. Tea colour and The Food Safety and Standards of the plant Camellia Sinenis and strength depend on the level of oxidation. Authority of India (FSSAI) allows Camellia Assamica are generally used In the Rolling process the leaves are synthetic colours in foods like sweets, in production of tea. The Black tea, rolled, kneaded either by hands or via but not in tea. Tea Board, India, strongly White, Green, Oolong – these are machines. This is done to release oils advises that FSSAI guidelines be derived from the same plant. What and further improve taste. Tea is then followed and no colours be added to tea differs is the processing technique that dried and aged. Drying helps preserve that may create problems in food safety, gets followed after plucking the tea tea by improving its shelf life. Ageing human health, tea trade and quality. So leaves to get the final product. And the is akin to fermentation and is done for why are colours being added? variety of plant used. some special varieties like Oolong. There are various reasons. Colours There are a few common steps The steps differ for various styles of are most often added to sometimes like withering, oxidation, fixing, rolling, tea. For preparation of white tea, only make inferior tea look attractive. The drying, ageing etc. After the tea leaves withering and drying is allowed. In tea also looks stronger, richer and lures are plucked they are first withered to case of black tea however, withering is customers into buying such products. reduce moisture content. Withering is followed by rolling and then oxidation. This year in January, more than 1.5 done drying the leaves out in the sun tonnes of adulterated tea was seized or in a controlled room indoors. Here Additives added to tea at Coimbatore. The trader had added hot air is used to wilt the leaves. This For scented teas flowers like synthetic brown colour to the product. process also ensures that the leaf jasmine, rose etc., are added. The Last year FSSAI had seized 2.3 tonnes compounds break down, and intensifies flowers are generally teamed up with the at Ayanavaram, Chennai. Sunset yellow the flavour of tea. tea leaves during oxidation. Herbs like colour had been added to the tea. Black The browning of tea leaf begins in mint, spices are added to get different Tea could be laced with lead. Some of oxidation. This is done in a controlled tea variations. Sometimes teas are also these chemicals could be life threatening. room with a set temperature and blended with other variations. Black tea Banned colours, textile dyes could be humidity. Here, tea leaves are allowed could be blended with tea dust, whole added to tea products. Unfortunately in the to ferment. Depending on fermentation leaves etc. But there is no mention of long run, consumption of such products levels, tea leaves may retain the colour adding colours anywhere. could lead to cancer and liver disorders. (Continued on page 43)

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 41 SOCIETY Anger! Anger is a draining emotion, and makes us prone to irrational acts. Alarmingly, young kids and teenagers seem to be the most angry today, says a concerned A. Radhakrishnan.

HE face becomes flushed, and incidence of coronary heart disease, serve as ‘a spiritual friend and a spiritual the brow muscles move inward hypertension and stroke, especially guide.’ In Hinduism, anger is equated Tand downward, fixing a hard stare among men. with sorrow, as a form of unrequited on the target. The nostrils flare, and the Animals make loud sounds, attempt desire. In Buddhism it is ‘being unable jaws clench. The external expression to look physically larger, bare their to bear the object, or the intention to of anger or wrath can be found in teeth, and stare, and this is designed cause harm to the object.’ Anger in facial expressions, body language, to warn aggressors to stop their Islam is considered to be instigated by physiological responses, and at times, threatening behaviour. Rarely does a Satan. To spiritual teacher Meher Baba, in public acts of aggression. physical altercation occur without the ‘anger is the fume of an irritated mind, prior expression of anger by at least one caused by the thwarting of desires.’ Anger is like a boomerang! of the participants. Anger, like a boomerang, comes back Uncontrolled anger can, however, Minor triggers, tragic outbursts to us. The people we are angry with may negatively affect personal or social Anger, therefore, is dangerous. or may not be hurt by our anger, but well-being, and impact those around Long queues at ATMs without money it definitely saps us of our own energy. them. It causes a loss in self-monitoring leads to short temper fuse. A 50-year- It is an intense emotional response capacity and objectiveness. Angry old police constable was beaten up by and involves a strong, uncomfortable people are more likely to make risky subordinates offended by his refusal to and emotional response to a perceived decisions, are less trusting, and slower throw them a party at 1 a.m. Mobs beat provocation, hurt or threat. to attribute good qualities to outsiders. a director of a Nalanda school to death Some are conditioned to react Suppression of anger may have harmful after bodies of two school children were through retaliation as a way of effects and find another outlet, such as discovered in a nearby canal. coping. In most cases, the described a physical symptom, or become more Grappling intolerance and rage, provocations occur immediately before extreme. Anger ironically also makes adolescents are targeting their parents the anger experience. It is also used as a people think more optimistically. with sudden violent outbursts. Call protective mechanism to cover up fear, Dangers seem smaller, actions seem it momentary madness, but the fact hurt or sadness. less risky, ventures seem more likely to is most kids cannot deal with the Anger can be hasty and sudden, succeed, and unfortunate events seem emotion of anger. A global trend, one settled and deliberate, or dispositional. less likely. in 12 adolescents in the U.S could It can also be passive and aggressive Ancient Greek philosophers, Galen be suffering from IED or Intermittent through dispassion, evasiveness, and Seneca regarded anger as a kind Explosive Disorder. defeatism, obsessive behaviour, of madness, but agreed on both the A 15-year-old girl planned to stalk a psychological manipulation etc. possibility and value of controlling boy on the social media site Facebook, Anger management writer, William anger. Aristotle, on the other hand, after he broke up with her. When her DeFoore described anger ‘as a pressure ascribed some value to anger that has parents tried to talk her out of it, she cooker’: “We can only apply pressure arisen from perceived injustice, because broke their flat screen television set against our anger for a certain amount it is useful for preventing injustice. and hurled a paperweight and pen of time until it explodes.” It slows down In Judaism, anger is a negative trait. stand at her mother. A 14-year-old the healing process. High secretion Medieval Christianity denounced wrath boy killed his mother because she was of stress hormone cortisol could be as one of the seven cardinal sins, but often upset with him for not doing well partly responsible. Studies have also some Christian writers regarded the in his studies. A 15-year-old boy from linked ill-tempered behaviour, whether anger caused by injustice ‘as having Palghar killed his father as he refused to brow-beating or road rage, with higher some value’. In Protestantism, anger can buy him a mobile.

42 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 Teens who constantly suppress Celebrity tiffs are a common • Yell in private. It works wonders feelings of anger or lose their temper, thing in Bollywood with female fights • Put on your playlist, turn up the are more likely to be overweight by over hair stylists and jealous male volume and dance away eating to be calm. Unable to express dress designers having a slugfest. In • Keep those smiley stress balls and their anger in a healthy way may make Hollywood, Rihanna called a journalist a keep squeezing them. them isolate themselves from peers by ‘menopausal mess’ because her bad girl • Run up and down the stairs being withdrawn, and engaging in less persona was criticised. Jennifer Lopez • Accept you get peeved easily physical activity. once threatened to physically harm a • Learn to laugh at yourself With work-life stress on the rise, presenter if he made her look bad with • Look for humour in situations parents are increasingly venting their gags. Naomi Campbell, to reign in her • Master the art of ignoring with a rage on their kids. However, they explosive temper, practices Kabbalah, smile would do well never to hit their child, a spiritual movement rooted in Jewish • Remember nothing can affect you or publicly humiliate their child, and mysticism. till you let it affect you ask themselves, if their reaction is in In the sports world, Virat Kohli is • Nothing is as important a peace of proportion to the event? a man in touch with the zeitgeist, and mind Conversation is restricted to khaana that’s how most players come from the • Get rid of the grandiose idea that khaaya, homework kiya, abhi so jao factory of new India these days. Short you run the universe. The world and (had your meal?, have you done your fuse, ready to display overt aggression, people are the way they are homework?, now sleep…)…if parents and almost creating an image out of it. • Those who suffer from uncontrollable spend their time after work watching anger should seek professional TV, what does this do to their emotional Anger management counselling from time to time connect between their children and Anger can hopefully be thwarted by Arguments and conflicts are them? the following: unavoidable in relationships, but how And there is road rage too. In Delhi, a • The greatest remedy for anger is you fight makes all the difference. That’s 42-year-old bus driver was bludgeoned delay. Acute anger episodes can be anger management for you.  to death after his bus brushed against controlled by counting or backward A. Radhakrishnan is a Pune-based freelance a young man’s bike; a 38-year-old man counting journalist with four decades of who brushed his bike against a car was • Learn to forgive mainstream print assaulted and killed before the eyes • Concentrate on your spiritual nature journalism, poet, of his two sons aged 11 and 13; an • Meditate short story writer and counsellor. enraged motorcyclist followed his victim • A good regime of moderate exercise When not on home and attacked him, his wife, and will help anger dissipate social media, he brother after the four-wheeler driver • Have proper balanced diet loves to make people laugh. didn’t let him overtake. • Good communication helps soluble colours have been added to the Not my cup of tea tea powder. (Continued from page 41) Detecting colours in tea Tea is rich in antioxidants. But So how do you detect if a tea is adulteration can destroy its goodness. Heavy metals in tea too adulterated or not? There is a simple So as an alert consumer, be aware. Buy from a trusted source, check the labels. In addition to this, heavy metals test. If a tea is laced with colours then Jago grahak jago!  too get absorbed in tea leaves from soil if it is added to a glass of cold water, it plantations. Tea leaves could contain will change the water colour instantly. Usha Hariprasad is a freelancer who is metals like cadmium, chromium, lead, An article in the Hindu titled ‘What’s fond of travelling, discovering arsenic, selenium etc. Chromium is that in your coffee cup?’ mentions that new places and known to cause cancer of lungs and a pure tea imparts colour only in hot/ writing about bronchitis, lead can lead to anaemia, warm water. Another method to test an travel related destinations selenium can cause selenosis. This adulterated tea is to put tea leaves on a around Bangalore though is not in our control. Organic filter paper. Add few drops of water on at Citizen Matters. Currently, she labels too can be misleading sometimes it. If you see colour stains on the tissue works in a trekking as there may be presence of pesticides. then there is all probability that water organisation.

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 43 CULTURE Fun with our past The book ‘ArchaeoGiri: The Bridge Between the Archaeologist and the Common Man’ by Shubha Khandekar, is a pioneering attempt at turning India’s vast archaeological wealth into human voices through cartoons. By generating dialogue among historical characters stepping out of academic papers and scholarly textbooks, ArchaeoGiri creates humour and unique insights into the secrets of the past, says Divya Prasad. This is the way history should be taught, she states.

RCHAEOGIRI begins with a quote tour from the Stone Age to our own in upbringing would be blamed on the from Harriet Beecher Stowe: times; a span of two million years, and spouse. Illustrating the complexities of A‘The past, the present, and the that is some exciting time travel through life in the Middle Stone Age as depicted future are really one: they are today.’ cartoons. Hence one learns how being in the thousands of paintings in the Although the reading of history should a dentist or a mother goddess could rock shelters of Central India, a cartoon lead us to this point, we frequently have been the cherished career goals for shows a man thrown off by a bull, with miss the link and get lost in the data prehistoric kids. Or that a hunter would onlookers commenting on how, when that, when interpreted, he could not decide on is somehow devoid of whether to tame the its essential humanity. bull, hunt him or paint Shubha Khandekar, him, it was the bull who trained in archaeology (she did! participated in excavations When microliths in Shringaverpur, Inamgaon appeared, hand axes and Chandore), and having would have become worked as a journalist, dated. There is a brings both her experiences charming cartoon in to a panoramic travel into which the prospective the past, and reports on it groom protests that the way a contemporary even in the age of cartoonist from the remote microliths, the bride’s past would have done; father demands the giving us a glimpse into The book brings history alive in a fun, humorous way obsolete hand axes as what would have caused bride price, belittling historical characters to grumble, gossip have sneered at a gatherer as the former the finer, more advanced microliths as or guffaw. Supported by short and wouldn’t stoop to picking tamarind for ‘silly little thingummyjigs’. lucid text that brings you up to date a pregnant wife. As a prehistoric child These cartoons make you laugh and with the latest developments in Indian prodigy draws an animal with heads, then get you thinking. We throw stones archaeology, from the Stone Ages to feet and tails of different animals, the now, at glasshouses and otherwise. It the contemporary debates on how we exasperated father points a finger at needed the ingenuity, sophistication look at the past, the cartoons, as the the over-protective mother, saying, ‘It’s and versatility of the Stone Age man Foreword by renowned archaeologist all your fault. Had you let me take him to fashion these into tools to make M.K. Dhavalikar states, make the stones on hunts, he would have known that choppers, blades, points, sickles, speak. such animals don’t exist.’ Of course, harpoons and arrowheads. He would the prehistoric couple would have lament his successors’ sheer waste A guided tour of history argued about children and, as in our of resources and the dying of the The cartoons take you on a guided own times, any perceived shortcomings handicrafts!

44 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 Generally, all school students who Restaurant have been introduced to history know owner awaiting about Chandragupta’s marriage to a footfalls, Greek princess, who was exchanged for suffering the 500 elephants as a return gift. Imagine double whammy her plight in a faraway foreign land; the of bankruptcy forlorn princess is offering an elderly and the wife’s compatriot who comes visiting her, 600 predictable ‘l elephants to buy her out of the place, told you so.’ protesting against the scorching heat of The famous Bihar and the unbearably spicy food! Trimurti from Buddha’s representations do the Elephanta not belong to his times. He was first Caves spout the depicted through such symbols as ‘Copy’, ‘Paste, the Bodhi tree, footprints and the and ‘Delete’ ‘Dhamma’ wheel. His images date commands, which summarise the overawe you, and there is a common from the time of Gandhara Art, which mythological obligations of the holy sense way of looking at the vast stretch flowered a few hundred years after trinity with exceptional thrift. of history and time preceding us. The he had died. One of the cartoons Each reader will find his own book sends a strong message that we titled ‘Headers and Footers’ shows a favourites among the cartoons to must let the past be and not drag it into Greek sculptor proudly displaying the chuckle at, but there are two at the the present. Buddha’s head he created, to which the very end which particularly catch ArchaeoGiri is an irreverent, dhoti-clad BCE sculptor responds that your attention. One shows the Public informative and entertaining take on at least he does not pretend to know Holidays Department considering a India’s past and its writing: a must what Buddha looked like! One cartoon Vibhishana ghar wapasi day. The other read for scholars, students and lay shows an irate donor admonishing has two horses contemplating taking the enthusiasts alike. It is a book that you the impudent engraver, who would road to Mohenjodaro where Ashutosh can pick up any time, open any page rather immortalise his love for Sundari, Gowarikar has offered them the entire and enjoy. This is how history should to stick to the given text about who granary. be taught, with wit, humour and a lot donated the cave. The cartoons also raise the issues of of common sense. The history teachers We all know Asoka for his rock and doctored histories, coloured chronicles could possibly look at the cartoons and pillar edicts, and his message of non- and political interference in what is the find new ways to communicate to their violence. This would have forced a exclusive domain of archaeologists and students. The cartoons would certainly change in food habits and livelihoods. historians. If the past is to be rewritten enliven the classroom. Certainly, the A cartoon shows a Piyadasi Pure Veg based on ideological preferences and put cartoons could be very good ads for into our prejudiced the ruins of history. Imagine the horse templates, we cartoon put up at a Harappan site!  are only depriving Having done her M.A in History and M.Phil ourselves of the from the Department of Chinese and picture that may Japanese Studies, Delhi University, Divya Prasad joined the bureaucracy through emerge from a the civil services examination in 1984. dispassionate She worked in the ministries of Defence, analysis of data. Panchayati Raj, Shipping and the Unique Identiﬁ cation The cartoons, Authority of however, tell India, in various you that you capacities. She retired in 2015 need not let the and is currently experts, whether working with an NGO in two of the Left or the municipal schools Right disposition, in Delhi.

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 45 THEATRE The shape-shifter A one-woman play about violence against women, Sarah Jones Can’t Wait, has caused a lot of buzz in the world of theatre, says Shoma A. Chatterji. She reviews the play which has the actor brilliantly playing eight women from around the world, with minimal props. OMEN Can’t Wait is a one- woman performance by WSarah Jones. The 27-year- old Sarah comes on stage, sans make- up or costume, decked up in a black shirt and black tights, with a luminous, lemon green veil as the only prop for the 50-minute performance. The play is the result of a brain-storming session between Jessica Neuwirth, Executive Director of Equality Now and Sarah Jones, a poet-turned-actress based in the US. Sarah Jones Can’t Wait, earlier named Women Can’t Wait, is a powerful statement on violence against women, that mainly focusses on This is a brilliantly acted out play, which provides ample food for thought discriminatory laws in several countries Team, beginning to perform nationally The stage is set across the globe, denying equal rights to and working with luminaries like Paul The stage is set with a podium half the world’s population. Jones wrote Simon and Gil Scott-Heron. and a microphone into which Sarah the script herself, and Gloria Feliciano Shortly afterwards, inspired by New ‘addresses’ the imaginary UN session directed her performance. It is a York City, Jones wrote Surface Transit. in the accent suited to the country she performance commissioned by Equality “New York City is an impossible mix of comes from. Her body language, the Now as part of their international cultures, races, languages, religions, tone and pitch of her voice, match the campaign against discriminatory laws and all their individual prejudices, body language and the voice of the in 45 countries. The performance conscious or otherwise,” says Sarah. woman she is impersonating. highlights the impact of discriminatory Neuwirth happened to catch a show of For instance, she covers her head to laws on the daily lives of women and Surface Transit and was captivated by become Parveen from India, working up girls in eight countries around the world. the performance. Jones portrayed eight the courage to speak out about marital Born in Baltimore and brought up in very different New Yorkers and used their rape committed on her by her husband Boston, Washington D.C. and New York chance encounters in the city’s transit against which the law of the country City, Sarah has been performing since system to explore racial and sexual offers her no protection at all. In an she was a child. Her first poem, on the discrimination. “She was brilliant”, instant, she transforms the chunni into politics of Ronald Reagan, came out says Neuwirth, adding, “What really a scarf tied jauntily around her neck, when she was six. Five years later, she struck me was how she brought the turning into Emeraude, a vivacious found herself acting in a Shakespeare complicated issues behind the characters French lady who defies the law banning play. She then switched over to writing. to life.” She approached Jones to find women from working nights in France. Returning to New York in 1995, after out if she would be interested in putting “I am a dedicated criminal,” says this attending Bryn Mawr College, without together a dramatic piece for the UN teacher, tongue firmly in cheek, referring any formal training in acting, Sarah special session, and Jones agreed. The to her dedication to her teaching job began to perform the spoken word at result was, Women Can’t Wait. Jones at a night school. Tomoko from Japan the Nuyorican Poets Café. She later plays eight women who have come to wishes to marry the man she is in love won the Nuyorican Café’s Grand Slam the United Nations – from India, Japan, with. But the country’s law maintains Championship, and was selected for the Kenya, Jordan, France, Uruguay, Israel that she cannot do so unless her first national semi-finalist Nuyorican Slam and Brooklyn, N.Y. – to tell their stories. (Continued on page 48)

46 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 THEATRE The pioneer Maharashtrian rationalist and mathematician Prof. Raghunath Dhondo Karve was also the pioneer of family planning in India, a fact not known to many. Prof. Avinash Kolhe reviews a play based on him. AHARASHTRA can rightly boast of tall social reformers Mlike Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Justice M.G. Ranade, G.G. Agarkar and many others. All these people had severely criticised inhuman practices prevalent in Hindu religion and society like caste system, child marriage, the practice of Sati, etc. But none spoke of family planning and a healthy sex life as the preconditions for a healthy society. That responsibility fell on Prof. Raghunath Dhondo Karve (RDK) (14 January 1882-14 October 1953) who was the eldest son of Maharshi A still from the play Samaj Swasthya Dhondo Keshav Karve, founder of SNDT Women’s University. directed a movie Dhyasparva, based on RDK was a professor of Mathematics Prof. Karve led the life of a lonely the life of RDK. and a thorough rationalist. He realised person though he was married to And now ‘Natakghar’, a Pune-based that unless Indians learn about Malatibai. He had to face social drama group decided to mount a play family planning and safe sex through ostracism, was forced to resign from on the life of Prof. R.D. Karve, titled contraceptives, women will continue to professorship in Mumbai. Though he Samaj Swasthya (health of society). live life only for producing babies, whom was always almost broke, he never gave This is the title of the magazine Karve they cannot properly feed and raise. up his cause and persevered. His life edited to propagate his ideas about He started the first birth control clinic and times offer a challenge to writers family planning, STD, safe sex, etc. He in India in 1921 in Mumbai, the same and playwrights. In 2001 Amol Palekar had to face police action often and was year a similar birth control clinic was also fined by the judiciary. opened in London! In all these activities he was ably supported by his wife. She ‘Samaj Swasthya’ helped him financially and both had to Playwright Ajit Dalvi took up this face social ostracism. The couple also challenge and we now have a two- chose to remain childless. In 1927, they and-half hour play ‘Samaj Swasthya’ in started a magazine Samaj Swasthya and Marathi, which is more of a court-room edited it till RDK died in 1953. drama, as he was dragged to court often for views which were nothing The play but revolutionary during the 1930s The play opens when RDK had and 1940s. Not only this, the fearless to appear in court for the first time professor never fought shy of taking on for his ideas of family planning and big names like Mahatma Gandhi. RDK use of contraceptives. On the other had criticised Gandhiji for his views on side of ideological fence are orthodox celibacy. No wonder RDK spent much elements from Pune who use religious texts and literature to argue their point. Samaj Swasthya was also the tittle of of his life in courts defending and losing the magazine Prof. Karve edited cases filed against him. The orthodoxy was led by Aahitagni

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 47 Rajawade, and they convinced the and how they are threatened! of directing many challenging plays. He judge that RDK’s views are dangerous The role of RDK is rendered founded Natak Ghar in 2013 in Pune to to the society. RDK was fined, the first sensitively and imaginatively by Girish produce meaningful and thoughtful plays. in a long list to follow. Kulkarni with Rajeshree Sawant- In ‘Samaj Swasthya’, Pethe has scaled Atul Pethe has directed this play. Wad playing RDK’s caring and loving new heights. The audiences leave the Pethe, a progressive artist, is known to wife, Malatibai. Set Design by veteran hall wondering about the plight of social bring such plays to life, regularly. In the Pradeep Mulaye is outstanding and reformers like RDK and how our society past, he directed Surya Pahilela Manoos creates the atmosphere of the 1930s manages to produce them and then torture (Man who has seen the Sun) on the and 1940s’ court rooms and residential them. And yet in due course, recognise life of Greek philosopher Socrates. He homes in middle-class Mumbai, staying their sterling contribution. Today, RDK is along with Dalvi, devoted a lot of time primarily in Girgaum. known for his pioneering work on family to put this play together and had read The costumes by Madhuri Purandare planning, which later became our national many issues of Samaj Swasthya, and as bring to life that era when Marathi programme. Girish Kulkarni essayed much material on RDK as was possible. educated men invariably wore coats. the role with This is their labour of love. The product Dalvi’s hard work shows in the dialogues matured ease.  is indeed praiseworthy and shows the and various crisp scenes. It is quite a Prof. Avinash audiences as to how the more things challenge to pick the most dramatic Kolhe Asst. change, the more they remain same. moments from RDK’s life and present Professor in Political Even today, we have orthodoxy keeping them on stage in the duration of two-and- Science at D. G. our society backward. Even today, we half hours. Dalvi has managed this well. Ruparel College, see how nobody listens to sane voices, Pethe is an old theatre hand, a veteran Mumbai. The shape-shifter mutilation girls in her country are and dreary, and yet getting her message subjected to, and for which, there is no across, loud and clear. The lines drawn (Continued from page 46) legal protection whatsoever. Without between and among the different women husband gives her written consent to using the space of the proscenium for are clear. Yet, there is considerable divorce him. Being the batterer that he movement, Jones manages to keep her blurring too, driving home the point that is, he is loathe to let go of his vulnerable audience electrified and hypnotised by all women are after a point, reducible victim, trapped more by the laws of the the performance. What’s amazing is to one common whole. Sarah Jones’s country, than by the violent husband. that she does this apparently without performance is a performance of Hala from Jordan speaks about her much effort on her part. By the time transference, of transition, of change sister Leila, whose 15-year-old brother the performance comes to a close, and of demanding others to change. pumped six bullets into her stomach one can almost cut through the thick “One of the things that inspires me to and got sentenced for six months. Her silence that pervades the auditorium, write is the dearth of material that treats crime was that she ran away from home till the real Sarah Jones speaks up in everybody – Black, White, Latino, mixed to escape getting married to a man her own voice and makes a hole into – as people instead of some add-water- old enough to be her father. It was an the silence. “The voices of the eight and-stir stereotype,” she says. Let hers ‘honour killing’ decreed the court, and women and their chronicles of injustice be the last word.  the teenage brother grew into adulthood are hanging in the air like the lament of Shoma A. Chatterji is a freelance journalist, with his sister’s blood on his hands, a Greek chorus,” writes Tom Quinn, a ﬁ lm scholar and author. She has authored without any sense of remorse for having US critic. 17 published titles and won the National Award for Best Writing on Cinema, twice. done what he did. Alma from Uruguay On stage, Jones is the gifted She won the UNFPA-Laadli Media Award, says how her daughter was forced to impersonator, shape-shifting from 2010 for ‘commitment to addressing and marry her own rapist because the law one character to the next. Just as in analysing gender issues’ among many awards. She is of her country exonerates a rapist if he Surface Transit she wanted to get the currently Senior marries his victim! voices out of her head and into the Research Fellow, ICSSR, Delhi, world, in Women Can’t Wait, she fluidly There is Bonita from the US, Shira researching from Israel and finally, 13-year-old moves from being the Punjabi Parveen the politics of Anna from Kenya who balls up the to the Kenyan Anna. Her lines are presentation of working women chunni to resemble a doll she carries generously sprinkled with acid touches in post-colonial along with her wherever she goes. She of black humour, thereby preventing Bengali cinema haltingly talks of the female genital the performance from becoming dull 1950 to 2003.

48 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 PORN Shut it down! The widespread consumption of violent pornography is not a matter to be scoffed at, says Bharat Dogra. Even at the risk of being accused of moral policing, such pornography must be clamped down upon, he states.

NE of the most important socio- of porn, and the increase of sexual extent to which proliferation of certain cultural changes of recent crimes. Secondly, on the basis of a kinds of porn has led to or may have Otimes relates to the very rapid survey of culprits of sexual crimes, this led to an increase in sexual violence increase in access to very diverse forms study establishes that nearly a third of against women and children (female as of pornography, including violent porn. them, while watching pornographic well as male children). Also, it needs Like all other important social and videos, had felt a yearning for doing to be examined more specifically, to cultural changes, this change should something similar in real life. what extent this proliferation of porn is be examined for its possible impact by Then, in the more specific context related to the increase in the trafficking unbiased researchers. Unfortunately, of India, we have a lot of anecdotal of women and children. such careful research and well-informed evidence and news reports about Another important area of research debate is not very visible in India, with actual sexual crimes and confessions is how exposure to certain forms of the result that, two highly distorted of culprits of these crimes. There have porn has different impacts on different views, have dominated the discussion. been increasing reports about the categories of people. Here, more The first such distorted view is circulation of videos of several women specifically, it needs to be researched based on the moral policing approach. and girls, including students. In some how the sudden intrusion of porn in This view fails to distinguish between cases, these have led to further violence culturally conservative families and various forms of porn, ranging from and even suicides of those who have communities can be very disruptive, mildly erotic and sensual to extremely been defamed. particularly those forms of porn which violent, and condemns all porn, often relate to incest and various prohibited even asking for a ban on all porn. relationships. The links of this to several The second, equally distorted view Then, in the more violent crimes should also be explored. goes to the other extreme, shutting its speciﬁ c context Yet another important area that should eyes to the increasing evidence of the of India, we have be explored is the extent to which porn harmful impacts of certain types of a lot of anecdotal can become highly addictive and the porn, holding that no harmful impact evidence and news impact of such addiction on specific exists. Unfortunately, this view is being reports about actual groups like students. promoted in several not-so-obvious sexual crimes and Last, but not the least, we ways by powerful interests who benefit confessions of culprits need to examine the impact of the from the proliferation of porn. of these crimes. proliferation of porn in terms of much reduced possibilities of good cinema, The truth about violent porn TV and literature, as well as the wider Such a view ignores many studies A surprising increase in sale and cultural implications of this. Rational, that already exist about the adverse circulation of video clips depicting rapes research and facts based discussion impacts of proliferation of certain types has been reported from not just big on all these and related aspects is of porn, particularly violent porn. For cities, but even smaller towns. There important, and example, there is the study by Seiya is increasing suspicion that many rapes badly needed. Morita in the context of Japan, which and other crimes against women are Bharat Dogra makes two important points. Firstly, on taking place with the specific aim of is a Delhi- the basis of the available data, it seeks preparing such videos. based freelance journalist who to establish a statistical co-relationship So one very urgent issue that needs writes on social between the increase in the proliferation to be researched and debated is the concerns.

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 49 POLITICS Times they are a’ changing The Indian Republic started on a robust promise of justice and equality. But has it lost its way, especially in recent years, wonders Ram Puniyani.

S a nation, we have to ponder: constitutions of the world and came up The fundamental rights and directive What has been the direction with this document, calling it as ‘India, principles were interpreted in the Aof our politics in the last few that is Bharat’. direction of concern for the rights of decades? Does it conform to what was all citizens. During the decades of expected of our republic as outlined in Republic under attack? 1990, globally and nationwide, the our Constitution? Are we living up to The first major value of the republic globalisation of the economy led to the dreams and visions of the freedom which came to be criticised is the the dominance of the corporate sector, fighters and the founding fathers of India? one related to pluralism, diversity and leading to a decline in the concern for secularism. Globally, right-wing politics rights of average people and religious Founded on equality and justice has been asserting itself; the rise of minorities in particular. While earlier, What we need to recall is that the Ayatollah Khomeini was the first major India was sort of an example for marching Indian republic came to become one indication that vested interests are going towards a just society, during last two through the long period of struggle to use the cover of religion for retrograde decades in particular, the march has against the the British rule. Those pre-industrial political values. As such, been reversed. Worldwide, we see that participating in the struggle were the decade of 1980s has been a major those leaders having rightward shift, people of all religions and regions. The turning point in the history of mankind. those influenced by narrow nationalism movement itself was founded on the Inspired by the Soviet Revolution, are coming up, it may be Italy, France, principles of equality and justice. While many countries came forward to put Turkey or even United States for that those who were part of the upcoming an end to the feudal traditions. While matter. India, the industrialists, the workers, the language was that of socialism, the It is precisely in these times that in the educated classes, the peasants, agenda was that of ending landlordism India, the secular democratic republic is the adivasis, and dalits, aspired for and promoting the industries with the being challenged and Hindu nationalism the republic based on secularism and assistance of the state. China, Vietnam, is being asserted. This Hindu nationalism democracy. Cuba being the major examples. In is pushing back the policies of social These sections were the mainstream India, socialism guided the state policies welfare and the policies of affirmative of the anti-colonial movement, the to bring in public sector, which in turn action for weaker sections, minorities movement for ‘India as the nation in the promoted creation of a vast number of in particular. Countries like Pakistan making’. In contrast, sections of feudal jobs paving the way for participation had been dominated by such politics elements, kings and landlords, were of dalits, women and adivasis in all through. The matter of concern now opposed to the values of equality; they particular, in the so far forbidden public is that the Indian Republic, which had threw up the politics of feudal values, space. It opened up the space for vast, shown the way to South Asia in matters couched in the language of religion. industrial and educational development of values of justice, is mired more in In contrast to ‘India as the nation in of the country, this is what gave an edge issues of identity. It’s time we shift the the making’, they wanted to build a to India as a major economic power in focus back to issues of people, and Muslim nation or a Hindu nation. They times to come.The initial three decades weaker sections of society, along with kept aloof from the freedom movement of the Indian Republic were dominated nurturing pluralism and diversity.  and helped the British policy of ‘Divide by issues of the society; the problems Ram Puniyani a and Rule’; this is what led to the tragic of the downtrodden were on the center former Professor at partition of the country. stage. IIT, Mumbai, is also The Indian Constitution is the core of involved with social issues, particularly, the Indian Republic. It is the document One step forward, two steps back? those related to which expresses the aspiration of During these decades, the republic preservation of national movement. The Constitution focused mainly on the libertarian democratic and secular ethos in our makers referred to most of the modern values, equity and dignity for all. life.

50 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 BOOK REVIEW The ISI of Pakistan Faith, Unity, Discipline THE ISI OF PAKISTAN By Hein G. Kiessling Harper Collins Publishers, 2016

ROFESSOR Kiessling, a German the R&AW. But the ISI came into political scientist and historian, limelight after the Soviet Union’s (SU) Pauthor of the book under Afghan invasion in 1979. The author review, lived for 13 years (1989- quotes Zbigniew Kazimierz Brzezinski’s 2002) in Pakistan, including four memo to President Carter: “We now of 26/11, and second, the presence years in Quetta, to study Pakistan’s have the opportunity to give the USSR of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The their Vietnam War”. Thus, Pakistan’s Unfortunately, anyone who has followed ISI was established by Major General ISI collaboration with the American the Mumbai attack of 26/11 does not Robert Cawthrone, the then deputy CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) in get any more authentic information than chief of staff in Pakistan’s army, as an driving out the SU from Afghanistan, what is already in the public domain. intelligence gathering agency in 1948, in a sense laid the foundation for its He confirms the known fact that ISI and as a result of Pakistan’s failure in its first ultimate disintegration. Gorbachev in army were fully informed of the plans war (1947-48) against India. However, 1985 decided to withdraw troops from in advance. He discounts the idea that unlike India’s Research & Analysis Wing Afghanistan. The CIA provided funds, there is “an ISI within the ISI”, as an (R&AW) established in 1968, ISI has weapons and training to Mujahideen idea created by the ISI itself to increase played and continues to play a role in fighters. The author quotes American its power of deniability. domestic politics, in addition to external sources to the effect that “the US cash Osama bin Laden lived in Pakistan gathering of intelligence. flow exceeds those for all other covert for quite some years and as the author actions.” Pakistan also never before had says: “Only a minority believed that both The hydra-headed monster it so good. The author says, “15-40 services knew nothing”, about Osama The first decade of the ISI was percent of the weapons intended for the living in Abbottabad till his killing by without much significance. It was, Mujahideen never left Pakistan”, while the US on 2 May 2011. Osama was however, involved in planning and 30 or more percent of the “assistance in all probability, protected by a small executing “Operation Gibraltar” during were stolen on the transportation routes unit of ISI, just like it had protected the military rule of Ayub Khan that which run through Pakistan”. Mullah Omar till his death in 2013. ISI we Indians know as Pakistan’s second What makes one qualified for might have thought of doing the same war, in 1965. It was based on the the post of ISI Director? Based on his with Osama. But, the author says, the anticipation of an internal “rebellion interviews with former directors, the planners “underestimated the will of the against Indian rule” in Jammu & author says: Director is “different from Americans to retaliate for 9/11…”  Kashmir (J&K). It was “initially rejected” other military men, reference being Dr. P.M. Kamath, formerly, Professor of by Ayub Khan who had then observed: made to his intelligence, conceptual and Politics, University of Bombay, is currently, “All I asked them was to keep the analytical ability as well as his zest for Hon. Director of VPM’s Centre for Interna- situation in Kashmir under review. They action.” Major General Hamid Gul was tional Studies (Regd.), afﬁ liated to Mumbai University. He is an Adjunct Professor in can’t force a campaign of military action appointed to the post during the time Department of Geopolitics and Interna- on the government”. Though, finally in of military dictator, Zia-ul-Haque; then tional Relations. July 1965, it did take place, but failed onwards, the position began to get more While teaching in the University, completely. and more attention, within and outside he guided a Ph. The debacle of the secession of the country. D dissertation on Terrorism as an the East Pakistan after the Bangladesh For want of space, let me mention instrument of For- War of 1971 was another big failure only two more recent issues of global eign Policy and an of the ISI. On the other hand, the interest, to discuss ISI’s involvement. M. Phil thesis on Sri Lankan Ethnic author says it was a great victory for First, the Mumbai cross-sea terror attack Crisis.

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 51 COLUMN / NATURE WATCH Tiger ﬁ re

The forest is a true temple, and worthy of our devout worship. But will we do our utmost to conserve this Bittu Sahgal priceless treasure? Editor, Sanctuary magazine

ITTING with the late Kailash Sankhala, the then me, or mourn the destruction that is imminent? Every once Director of Project Tiger, I learned for the first time in a while, a primal instinct pushes me to parts of the planet Sthree decades ago, that langurs in the northern half where I can experience raw nature. It is here that I feel most of our subcontinent have their tails curled in a large ‘C’ bent alive. Where I can remind myself why the gift of life was over their backs. However, in the South, their tails form a granted to me. large ‘S’. Why? No one has quite been able to explain. The birth of such urgings was probably triggered by I also learned from this amazing naturalist that the countless family trips to Calcutta’s Botanical Gardens, where Hanuman langur possesses a three-chambered stomach that the famous banyan tree became a seven-year-old’s universe, helps it to digest the difficult-to-digest leaves that constitute and the mere sight of the Hoogly River’s mud banks sent the bulk of its victuals. Evolution granted it forward pointing young adrenaline pumping, because crocs lived there. eyes to judge distances, so that a leap from one branch to Such urgings stayed with me through the seventies, before another becomes less life threatening. Colour vision and Sanctuary was ever a gleam in my eye. an acute sense of smell help the langur to know when fruit I saw my first tiger over 30 years ago, in Kanha. It was hanging on a favourite tree turn ripe. Langur “Aunts” in a the month of June and the air was pregnant with promised troupe and young female sub-adults play surrogate mother rain. We were tracking tiger pugmarks in the pre-dawn to infants, so that the real mother can feed without let or gloom, drenched by tall-grass dew, and assaulted almost hindrance. And when a herd of chital deer wander by, the continuously by the smells and tummy expletives of Ram langur will not drift away, choosing instead to feed close Pyari, our riding elephant! to the deer, thus benefiting from one of the forest’s most And then, there it was. effective joint-predator alarm systems. And yes, they have a I spent an hour gaping open-mouthed at the year-old language of their own. Subtly varied alarm calls warn troupe cub that curiously explored its leaf littered nullah. When he members of threats from tigers, snakes or humans. Armed moved away, we followed for 200 hundred metres or so, till with long canines, more for fruit cutting than fighting, langurs the young cat was united with mother and sister. use teeth to great advantage by baring them in an aggressive In 15 minutes I was enslaved by tiger fire and liberated display designed to avoid physical conflict. from tawdry human ambition.I recall hours spent sitting Among wild creatures, langurs have adjusted their quietly with with Manglu Baiga, keeper of Kanha’s forest behaviour remarkably well, and have even begun to take secrets, at Shravan Tal, and Bahmnidadar, absorbing the advantage of the human tendency to feed them. It’s anyone’s magic. Manglu taught me that nature was mother, father guess, however, if this langur will ever understand that it and child all in one. That being in a forest was like being in a will die when it eats the food-stuffed plastic bags thrown by temple. That I was no less a child of the earth than the tigers thousands of mindless tourists and Hanuman worshippers I had come to see. who throng the forests and temples in the Ranthambhore I went to Kanha a tourist. I returned a nature worshipper. Tiger Reserve. If I had my way, I would create circumstances in and around When I now visit forests, I am always caught between our most popular wildlife areas that would enable every two poles. Should I celebrate the obvious beauty I see before single visitor to share my fate. 

52 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 COLUMN / INFOCUS Campus politics: Boon or bane?

While it’s good to see students participating actively in campus politics, they should also resist attempts by C. V. Aravind is a Bangalore-based freelance political parties to dictate or inﬂ uence the discourse. journalist.

IME was when universities were nothing more than tendencies which only tend to corrupt young minds and lead centers of learning. Student unions were always in them astray. Texistence, but their activities were mainly confined to Today’s generation has a tendency to question the status ensuring the welfare of the student fraternity. Some of these quo and this is a welcome sign, as meek acceptance of unions were backed by political parties, but politicians were everything that is dished out to them is only akin to meek always kept at arm’s length. surrender. Students showing spine is a healthy sign of the The situation in universities today is vastly different. In prevalence of democracy and freedom of expression in a some universities, campus politics has reached alarming nation like ours, and a perfect example of this was evident proportions with unions taking their battles to the streets and in the ‘Jallikattu’ agitation unleashed by students of colleges often indulging in violence. Political ideologies have grown in Chennai recently; a spontaneous movement to ensure the firm roots and unions have been endeavouring to ingrain revival of Jallikattu, a traditional sport in Tamil Nadu which certain strains of thought in the minds of the students, so had been banned by the Supreme Court on a petition by People much so that rebellions against authority and animus towards for Ethical Treatment of Animals. (PETA), just sprung up out each other have become the order of the day. Political parties, of the blue. The world’s second largest coastline, the Marina meanwhile, are busy fishing in troubled waters, with leaders beach in Chennai turned into an ocean of faces as young entering campuses, participating in organisational activities students, both boys and girls waged a relentless, silent and and throwing their weight behind student bodies that are non-violent battle against the ban that finally led to the state affiliated to them. government issuing an ordinance to restore the sport. The real Even prestigious institutions like the Jawaharlal Nehru highlight of the agitation was that the students, though part of University (JNU) through whose hallowed portals some a leaderless protest, kept the politicians at bay in a clear sign of India’s greatest leaders, intellectuals and scholars have that they had little faith in these people’s representatives. passed, have turned into hotbeds of political activity with Students today form a large vote bank for all political students openly clashing with each other and creating parties as consequent to the reduction of voting age from an atmosphere where mob frenzy has taken the place of 21 to 18, almost all college students have voting rights, and peaceful discourse. Both right-wing and left-wing activism what better way for parties to woo them than by carrying have entered the picture and students are in a dilemma out their propaganda through the unions in colleges and about which side to lean. A truly alarming trend in recent universities. times has been the germination of movements that have been Students should not allow their campuses to be defiled indulging in raising ‘pro-azaadi’ slogans, making attempts by permitting entry of anti-social and anti-national forces to denigrate the country, the national flag and the anthem, and should steer clear of anything that would make them critiquing the government in a harsh manner, praising forces deviate from their mission in life. They should not for that are inimical to the nation and so on and so forth. Only a even an instant forget that their principal aim in enrolling microscopic minority might subscribe to these theories, but themselves in universities is to excel in their academic and there can be no two opinions on the need to weed out these extra-curricular pursuits. 

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 53 SPOTLIGHT Beat the heat the traditional way

HEN the scorching sun beats down mercilessly and principle of convection of air. Acting like a chimney, it allows Wyou wipe the sweat off your tired brow, don’t you wish warm air to escape while the dense cool air sinks below and you were inside the cool confines of an air-conditioned room? circulates around the rooms surrounding it. Find out how our ancestors kept themselves cool long before Building earth-air tunnels is an economical method to cool modern air-conditioning was invented. houses without air-conditioning. Unlike air temperature Water Effect which varies with seasons, the ground temperature at Trust the ancient Romans to conceive the first mode of air a depth of four metres remains constant at around 20oC. conditioning. The master builders constructed aqueducts — Earth-air tunnels use this feature to cool residential as well long stone channels which carried drinking water from the as agricultural and industrial units. nearby hills to the towns. Wealthy Romans arranged to have Pipes embedded four metres below the surface draw in air pipes from these aqueducts circulating the brick walls of and cool it before circulating it through the home. Earth-air their houses. This effectively kept the rooms cool. The same tunnels are used in conjunction with solar chimneys which concept was also used by Indian palace builders, notably the enable hot air to escape, creating space for cool air. Mughals. If you thought that people in deserts and villages live in mud In 747 AD, an Emperor of the Tang dynasty installed a ‘Cool houses because they cannot afford better building materials, Room’ in his Imperial Palace. It used water-powered fan you couldn’t be more wrong. Walk into a mud hut and you wheels and rising jets of water from fountains to lower the will immediately notice a distinct drop in temperature. Mud room’s temperature. helps to insulate the interiors from the heat of the sun. Iran is known for its dry climate. So its ancient rulers devised Indigenous peoples of the Americas, Spain and parts of Africa effective ways to escape the harsh summers. Their ‘cool’ have lived in adobe houses for centuries. These regions have designs were best displayed in the classic Persian gardens hot days and cool nights. In such conditions, adobe is the in which water played a vital role. Features like cooling perfect choice as a building material. fountains and water channels not only added to their beauty, Adobe bricks are made from sand, clay, water and straw and but also offered visitors a soothing retreat from the heat. then baked in the sun for several days. A well-built adobe How do people living in hot places survive the heat? Since wall delays the transfer olden times, they have adopted natural methods to cool their of outside heat into the Grassy solution homes. These passive cooling strategies are great energy home during the day. After For Indians, vetiver spells savers. sunset, the warmed wall relief in summer. It is a Traditional Indian houses are built around courtyards. A keeps the inner living space fragrant grass, also known courtyard facilitates natural ventilation, working on the toasty for many hours. as khus. Its wiry roots are woven together into mats and used as blinds commonly called tattis. The vetiver tattis are hung in doorways and windows and kept moist by regularly dousing them with water. The hot breeze becomes refreshingly cool and scented after passing through the grassy curtains. Vetiver pads are also used in coolers.

54 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 BOOKLOOK Royal Wedding Jitters Title: Notebooks of a Middle-School Princess: Bridesmaid in Training Author: Meg Cabot Publisher: Macmillan ISBN: 978-1-4472-9248-7 Which girl doesn’t dream of becoming a princess at some point in her life? Olivia Grace is actually living the dream. Olivia’s half-sister, Princess Mia Thermopolis of the fictional kingdom of Genovia is getting married and it is up to her to help plan a perfect wedding. Only a week away, it seems to be a disaster in the making — Mia and her Grandmère (grandmother) ‘disagree’ on the colour of the bridesmaids’ dresses, iguanas have invaded the palace garden and Olivia still feels like a fish out of water grappling with the ropes of royal protocols. Olivia must join the Royal Genovia Academy as part of her Excerpt: princess training. She fears she may become the first in her I’m not saying that everything is perfect, of course. Nothing family to flunk out of the Academy. She has to hold her own is perfect, not even being a princess and having people at the school where she rubs shoulders with other princes and love you and living in a palace in the Mediterranean with princesses of the world. She has her moments of insecurity like orange trees outside your bedroom window. any pre-teen, contending with her jealous cousin Luisa who tries Like right now, for instance, Grandmère and Mia are sabotaging her efforts and her blossoming friendship with the having another one of their fights. (Sorry, I mean handsome Prince Khalil. And above all, Olivia wants to make disagreements. Grandmère says royals never fight. They sure that she is the best bridesmaid ever. have ‘disagreements’.) Bridesmaid in Training is the second book in the series written This disagreement is about Mia’s royal wedding, which and illustrated by Meg Cabot, author of the best-selling The is exactly one week away. ‘No, Grandmère,’ Mia was Princess Diaries series. It strikes a chord with youngsters who saying. ‘I told you before. No purple.’ have a hard time fitting in with new friends. As Olivia learns, all’s ‘But purple is the colour of royalty, Amelia. And it’s a well that ends well. royal wedding.’ WINNING WAYS The Story of the Pencil boy was watching his grandmother write a letter. At one Second quality: Now and then, I have to stop writing and A point, he asked, “Are you writing a story about what use a sharpener. That makes the pencil suffer a little, but we’ve done? Is it a story about me?” afterwards, it is much sharper. So you, too, must learn to His grandmother stopped writing her letter and said to bear certain pains and sorrows because they will make you her grandson, “I am writing about you, actually, but more a better person. important than the words is the pencil I’m using. I hope you Third quality: The pencil always allows us to use an eraser to will be like this pencil when you grow up.” rub out any mistakes. This means that correcting something Intrigued, the boy looked at the pencil. It didn’t seem very we did is not necessarily a bad thing; it helps us to stay on special. the road to justice. “But it’s just like any other pencil I’ve ever seen!” Fourth quality: What really matters in a pencil is not its “That depends on how you look at things. It has five qualities wooden exterior, but the graphite inside. So always pay which, if you manage to hang on to them, will make you a attention to what is happening inside you. person who is always at peace with the world. Finally, the pencil’s fifth quality: It always leaves a mark. First quality: You are capable of great things, but you must In just the same way, you should know that everything you never forget that there is a hand guiding your steps. We call do in life will leave a mark. So try to be conscious of that in that hand God, and He always guides us according to His will. your every action.” © 2017 Amrita Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 55 GREAT INDIANS

ADMIRAL A.K. CHATTERJI, PVSM, AVSM An admirable officer (1914-2001)

.K. Chatterji was born in Dhaka on 22 November He served as Naval Adviser to the High Commissioner for 1914. He had his early education in Ravenshaw India in London from 1950 to 1953. His next assignment ACollegiate School, Cuttack, and Brojo Mohan College, was as commanding officer of the cruiser INS Delhi. The Barisal. He was awarded a scholarship for standing first in young officers on board watched with mouths agape, his easy the Dhaka Division and passed his B.Sc. (Honours) in Physics handling of the ship. from Presidency College, Calcutta. He again stood first in the He attended a course for senior officers at the Imperial Federal Public Service Commission examination in 1933, Defence College, and on return took over as the Deputy Chief and was selected for the Royal Indian Marine. After training of Naval Staff in February 1958, and was promoted to the with the Royal Navy, he was commissioned on 1 September rank of Rear Admiral in March 1959. The next assignment 1935. With four years service, he attended a course in was as Flag Officer Commanding of the Indian anti-submarine warfare in the UK. His outstanding Fleet, and he paid a visit to Thailand grasp of naval warfare and performance at the among other countries, which was the course was well-recognised, and he was first visit of an India ship there. He appointed instructor at HMS Osprey was promoted to the rank of Vice- (the Anti-Submarine Warfare School) Admiral in January 1964, and in the UK. He was the only Indian took over the command of officer to receive this honour. National Defence College. He During 1941 to 1944, he took over the command of the served on various ships in the Navy on 4 March 1966, and Atlantic Ocean. In 1944-45, he was promoted to the rank of assumed command of the ship Admiral on 1 March 1968, HMIS Kathiawar, a Fleet Mine- the first Navy Chief to Sweeper, and participated in hold that rank. It was one the Burma campaign. of the many firsts he had In 1947, after attending achieved in his career. As the course at the Naval Staff Chief, he set about to acquire College, UK, he was appointed ships and weapon systems as Director of Naval Plans and required for a Blue Water Intelligence at Naval HQ in the rank Navy, the concept for which he of Commander. The plan drawn up by had visualised as Director, Plans. him became a blueprint for the future of The central aim of the Navy Plan for the Indian Navy. The Outline Plan for the 1969-70 was self-reliance. He vigorously Development and Reorganisation of the Royal followed specific acquisition of ships. The Indian Navy was based on four roles: to safeguard missile boats inducted during his tenure were fondly Indian shipping, to ensure delivery of supplies, to prevent any called AK boats after his initials. These boats played a crucial landing by the enemy, and to support the Army in sea borne role in the 1971 War in bombing Karachi. operations. It envisaged two fleets. Each fleet was to be built He was a hard disciplinarian, and commanding officers on a light fleet cruiser. It also included plans for naval aviation tried to emulate him in later life. His personality is best and submarines. It could not be implemented then due to described by his grandson, “He was a real extrovert. He got limitation of budget allotment and reluctance of the Western energy from being around people. His life was never focussed powers to supply these weapons. UK authorities insisted on himself.” that the Indian Navy was not mature enough to operate He retired on 28 February 1970, and passed away on 6 sophisticated weapons like submarines. They considered the August 2001.  Indian Navy to be a coastal defence force, with the Royal Navy to be responsible for oceanic and maritime defence. – Brigadier Suresh Chandra Sharma (retd)

56 ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 SURJIT SINGH BARNALA An inspiring leader (1925-2017)

URJIT Singh Barnala, who was born into a wealthy Prime Minister Chandrasekhar to dismiss the ruling DMK family in Punjab on 21 October 1925, and passed government by invoking Article 356, and was transferred Saway on 14 January 2017, graduated in Law from to Bihar which he did not accept, preferring to resign from the Lucknow University, and practiced for a few years as an his post. He again missed an opportunity to become PM advocate, before plunging headlong into politics as a member when regional leaders came up with his name, but his own of the Akali Dal. A true patriot, he also participated in the Quit party headed by Prakash Singh Badal foiled his plans by India movement that fought for the country’s freedom from allying with the BJP instead. In the following year, the BJP the British yoke. He was politically active in the late 60s and and its allies proposed his name for the Vice President’s lost his first major election in 1952 by a mere four votes. His post but he lost to Krishna Kant in the election. After first ministerial assignment came in 1969 when he was being elected to Parliament in 1998 as a nominee appointed as the Minister for Education in the of the Shironmani Akali Dal, then an ally of Gurnam Singh government in Punjab. During the BJP he was appointed as the Union this tenure he was instrumental in setting Minister for Chemicals & Fertilisers, up the Guru Nanak Dev University Food & Consumer Affairs in the in Amritsar. He was voted to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet. Lok Sabha in the 1977 general He distinguished himself by election, and was inducted his adroit handling of the into the cabinet by Prime portfolios allotted to him Minister (PM) Morarji Desai, and was rated as one of the who allotted the important most efficient ministers in portfolio of Agriculture the cabinet. He had one of to him. A whole string of the longest stints as Tamil other portfolios including Nadu governor from 2004 Water Resources, Irrigation, to 2011 and endeared Food, Consumer Affairs, himself to the people of the Environment and Forests, state. Barnala was elected Power, Rural Development and to the Lower House on three Chemicals and Fertilisers were occasions, in 1977, 1996 also tagged on to the Agriculture and 1998. Ministry. A high watermark during At the time of his death, Surjit his stint as Union Minister was the Singh Barnala was the patron of signing of the Ganga Waters Agreement a four party alliance in Punjab, the with Bangladesh. He came close to ‘Sanja Morcha’. The veteran politician was becoming the PM in 1979 after Morarji Desai a prolific painter and specialised in landscapes resigned as President, and toyed with the idea of and political portraits and many of his creations still installing an interim government headed by Barnala as PM, adorn the walls of the Raj Bhavans where he had resided but that did not materialise. in his capacity as Governor. He also authored a couple Returning to state politics, Barnala became the Chief of books, one titled Story of an Escape and the other My Minister (CM) of Punjab and served in that capacity for other two daughters, which was also translated in Braille. almost two years when the Shironmani Akali Dal was voted Surjit Singh Barnala was a cultured politician who set high to power. The period that he was the CM witnessed Punjab standards in matters like probity and maintaining the dignity militancy at its peak, and his deft handling of the situation of the various offices that he held during a long and eventful won him a lot of praise. He then served as Governor of Tamil political career.  Nadu from 1990–1991, for a period of just nine months. As the Governor of Tamil Nadu, he defied a diktat from – C. V. Aravind is a Bangalore-based freelance journalist.

ONE INDIA ONE PEOPLE April 2017 57 TAARAK MEHTA Master of clean, wholesome humour (1929-2017)

AARAK Mehta, columnist, humourist, writer and an unimagined level, and felt it should be organic. A very playwright, best known for the column Duniya Ne warm and affectionate person, sans expectations, he always TUndha Chasma in Gujarati, also translated and adapted welcomed everyone whole-heartedly. He eschewed politics, several comedies into Gujarati, was a well-known figure in the nor did he have any ill words to say about anyone. Selfless to Gujarati theatre. the core, he didn’t crave for any awards, nor was he envious The humourous weekly column first appeared in of his contemporaries. His phenomenal literary contributions Chitralekha in March 1971, and ever since has been looking helped him express his thoughts without any inhibitions. at contemporary issues from a different perspective. He Words cannot do justice to the stature of his writing and published 80 books over the years, three books were based its impact on the readers, but can only be measured by the on the columns he wrote in the Gujarati newspaper immense love he received from them. His zest for Divya Bhaskar, while the rest were compiled life was inspiring. Even though unwell and old, from the stories in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah he had a wonderful smile on his face, and Chashmah. mingled with people with unparalleled warmth and love. In 2008, SAB TVB, a popular entertainment channel in India, His style of humour was started a show Taarak Mehta Ka adorable. Many readers, when Ooltah Chashmah that was based sad, felt upbeat and positive after on his column, and soon it became reading his books. A legendary the flagship show of the channel. writer, his contribution to The daily soap brought a whiff Gujarati literature will always of fresh air in an era dominated be remembered. by countless saas-bahu sagas, Mehta who came to and it remains one of the top, Mumbai to be an actor, got longest running shows on Indian interested in theatre and entertainment television. eventually found his niche Born in Ahmedabad in as a columnist. He always December 1929, he died at the explored himself as an artist. His age of 87 years on 1 March 2017, philosophy was that when nothing after a prolonged illness. Even though seems fine, all you need is an ultah physically very weak due to age-old chashma to see the brighter side! problems, his wit and humour were intact. “Taarak Mehta’s work reflects India’s His family donated his body for medical research. unity in diversity, said Prime Minister Modi, Awarded the Padma Shri in 2015, the Gujarat Sahitya condoling Mehta’s death. “He never left the side of satire Gaurav Puraskar in 2011, and Nilkanth Hasya Paritoshik in and pen.” With the demise of Mehta, who had the unique 2017, he made Gujarat laugh. A much-loved name in literary gift of viewing the world through his `ooltah chashmah’, the circles, he became a household name across the country, and curtains fell on an era of clean humour and quintessentially abroad too. middle-class oriented writings, which entertained millions of readers for years. Without resorting to double-meaning jokes It takes special ability to make people laugh, but Mehta and below the belt humour, considered necessary in today’s did it effortlessly. And even when he went through troubled times by many, Mehta managed to bring a smile on the faces times in his personal life, this gifted writer didn’t let it affect of readers from different generations. And he did it day after his writings. Mehta even suffered from glaucoma for a long day, year after year. A big loss indeed for Gujarati literature, time, but this eye problem couldn’t damage his humorous but he will be always in our memories.  ‘vision’. In spite of these setbacks in his personal life, he continued to make the nation laugh till his very last breath. – A. Radhakrishnan a Pune based freelance journalist, poet and A wonderful conversationalist, he could take humour to short story writer, who loves to make people laugh. (Sketches of Great Indians by C.D. Rane)

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